I never could keep a promise. I do not blame myself for this weakness, because the fault must lie in my physical organization. It is likely that such a very liberal amount of space was given to the organ which enables me to make promises that the organ which should enable me to keep them was crowded out. But I grieve not. I like no half-way things. I had rather have one faculty nobly developed than two faculties of mere ordinary capacity.http://www.twainquotes.com/Promises.html

Summary

In this quote, the speaker humorously suggests that their inability to keep promises is due to a flaw in their physical composition, specifically the allocation of brain space. They imply that they possess a great capacity for making promises, but lack the corresponding ability to uphold them. However, rather than lamenting this discrepancy, the speaker prefers to embrace their singular strengths, valuing one highly developed trait over two average ones. Through wit and self-acceptance, the speaker challenges societal expectations and explores the idea of embracing individual talents, regardless of conventional notions of balance or conformity.

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