Always obey your parents, when they are present. This is the best policy in the long run, because if you don’t, they will make you. Most parents think they know better than you do, and you can generally make more by humoring that superstition than you can by acting on your own better judgment.

Mark Twain (1835-1910) American writer [pseud. of Samuel Clemens]

Essay (1882), “Advice to Youth”
    (Source)

A satirical essay sometimes labeled as a speech to the Boston Saturday Morning Club (1882-04-15).