Maxioms by H. L. Mencken
It is the invariable habit of bureaucracies, at all times and everywhere, to assume...that every citizen is a criminal. Their read more
It is the invariable habit of bureaucracies, at all times and everywhere, to assume...that every citizen is a criminal. Their one apparent purpose, pursued with a relentless and furious diligence, is to convert the assumption into a fact. They hunt endlessly for proofs, and, when proofs are lacking, for mere suspicions. The moment they become aware of a definite citizen, John Doe, seeking what is his right under the law, they begin searching feverishly for an excuse for withholding it from him.
It is hard to tell if a man is telling the truth when you know you would lie if you read more
It is hard to tell if a man is telling the truth when you know you would lie if you were in his place.
God is the immemorial refuge of the incompetent, the helpless, the miserable. They find not only sanctuary in His arms, read more
God is the immemorial refuge of the incompetent, the helpless, the miserable. They find not only sanctuary in His arms, but also a kind of superiority, soothing to their macerated egos; He will set the above their betters.
It is the fundamental theory of all the more recent American law...that the average citizen is half-witted, and hence not read more
It is the fundamental theory of all the more recent American law...that the average citizen is half-witted, and hence not to be trusted to either his own devices or his own thoughts.
