unattackable

Updated: May 19, 2025

I do not remember that Wellington or Napoleon ever examined Shakespeare's battles and sieges and strategies, and then decided and established for good and all, that they were militarily flawless; I do not remember that any Nelson, or Drake or Cook ever examined his seamanship and said it showed profound and accurate familiarity with that art; I don't remember that any king or prince or duke has ever testified that Shakespeare was letter-perfect in his handling of royal court-manners and the talk and manners of aristocracies; I don't remember that any illustrious Latinist or Grecian or Frenchman or Spaniard or Italian has proclaimed him a past-master in those languages; I don't remember well, I don't remember that there is testimony great testimony imposing testimony unanswerable and unattackable testimony as to any of Shakespeare's hundred specialties, except one the law.

Mark Twain - Is Shakespeare Dead? : From my autobiography.