"If man could be crossed with the cat, it would improve man but deteriorate the cat"

This quote by Mark Twain is an amusing way of expressing the concept that humans and felines are basically different which trying to combine the two would be a futile venture. The quote implies that human beings are flawed and could take advantage of some of the qualities that cats possess, such as their self-reliance and dexterity. However, the quote likewise suggests that felines would be even worse off if they were to be crossed with human beings, as their unique qualities would be lost while doing so. This quote is an amusing method of revealing the concept that people and felines are basically various and that trying to combine the 2 would be a futile venture. It likewise serves as a reminder that human beings need to appreciate the distinct qualities of felines and not try to change them.