H. L. Mencken ( 10 of 103 )
Writing books is certainly a most unpleasant occupation. It is lonesome, unsanitary, and maddening. Many authors go crazy.
Writing books is certainly a most unpleasant occupation. It is lonesome, unsanitary, and maddening. Many authors go crazy.
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.
Theology is the effort to explain the unknowable in terms of the not worth knowing.
Theology is the effort to explain the unknowable in terms of the not worth knowing.
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.
All human progress, even in morals, has been the work of men who have doubted the current moral values, not read more
All human progress, even in morals, has been the work of men who have doubted the current moral values, not of men who have whooped them up and tried to enforce them.
I never agree with Communists or any other kind of kept men.
I never agree with Communists or any other kind of kept men.
Democracy is only a dream: it should be put in the same category as Arcadia, Santa Claus, and Heaven.
Democracy is only a dream: it should be put in the same category as Arcadia, Santa Claus, and Heaven.
Government, in its very essence, is opposed to all increase in knowledge. Its tendency is always towards permanence and against read more
Government, in its very essence, is opposed to all increase in knowledge. Its tendency is always towards permanence and against change...[T]he progress of humanity, far from being the result of government, has been made entirely without its aid and in the face if its constant and bitter opposition.
In war the heroes always outnumber the soldiers ten to one.
In war the heroes always outnumber the soldiers ten to one.
Any man who inflicts the human race with ideas must be prepared to see them misunderstood.
Any man who inflicts the human race with ideas must be prepared to see them misunderstood.
