Before a man speaks it is always safe to assume that he is a fool. After he speaks, it is seldom necessary to assume it.

Quote by H L Mencken

Topics: H L Mencken Quotes

In this world of sin and sorrow there is always something to be thankful for;...

In this world of sin and sorrow there is always something to be thankful for;...

I go on working for the same reason that a hen goes on laying eggs.

I go on working for the same reason that a hen goes on laying eggs.

Historian: an unsuccessful novelist.

Historian: an unsuccessful novelist.

It is even harder for the average ape to believe that he has descended from...

It is even harder for the average ape to believe that he has descended from...

It is impossible to imagine Goethe or Beethoven being good at billiards or golf.

It is impossible to imagine Goethe or Beethoven being good at billiards or golf.

Morality is the theory that every human act must be either right or wrong, and...

Morality is the theory that every human act must be either right or wrong, and...

We must be willing to pay a price for freedom.

We must be willing to pay a price for freedom.

Man is a beautiful machine that works very badly.

Man is a beautiful machine that works very badly.

Adultery is the application of democracy to love.

Adultery is the application of democracy to love.

Let's not burn the universities yet. After all, the damage they do might be worse.

Let's not burn the universities yet. After all, the damage they do might be worse.

A politician is an animal which can sit on a fence and yet keep both...

A politician is an animal which can sit on a fence and yet keep both...

There is a saying in Baltimore that crabs may be prepared in fifty ways and...

There is a saying in Baltimore that crabs may be prepared in fifty ways and...

Democracy is the theory that the common people know what they want, and deserve to...

Democracy is the theory that the common people know what they want, and deserve to...

Poetry has done enough when it charms, but prose must also convince.

Poetry has done enough when it charms, but prose must also convince.

Platitude: an idea (a) that is admitted to be true by everyone, and (b) that...

Platitude: an idea (a) that is admitted to be true by everyone, and (b) that...

A national political campaign is better than the best circus ever heard of, with a...

A national political campaign is better than the best circus ever heard of, with a...

Life is a dead-end street.

Life is a dead-end street.

I hate all sports as rabidly as a person who likes sports hates common sense.

I hate all sports as rabidly as a person who likes sports hates common sense.

Communism, like any other revealed religion, is largely made up of prophecies.

Communism, like any other revealed religion, is largely made up of prophecies.

When women kiss it always reminds one of prize fighters shaking hands.

When women kiss it always reminds one of prize fighters shaking hands.