Maxioms by H. L. Mencken
The average man does not get pleasure out of an idea because he thinks it is true; he thinks it read more
The average man does not get pleasure out of an idea because he thinks it is true; he thinks it is true because he gets pleasure out of it.
The whole aim of practical politics is to keep the populace alarmed [and hence clamorous to be led to safety] read more
The whole aim of practical politics is to keep the populace alarmed [and hence clamorous to be led to safety] by menacing it with an endless series of hobgoblins, all of them imaginary.
Under democracy one party always devotes its chief energies to trying to prove that the other party is unfit to read more
Under democracy one party always devotes its chief energies to trying to prove that the other party is unfit to rule--and both commonly succeed, and are right.
The truth that survives is simply the lie that is pleasantest to believe.
The truth that survives is simply the lie that is pleasantest to believe.
Philosophy consists very largely of one philosopher arguing that all other philosophers are jackasses. He usually proves it, and I read more
Philosophy consists very largely of one philosopher arguing that all other philosophers are jackasses. He usually proves it, and I should add that he also usually proves that he is one himself.
