Historian: an unsuccessful novelist.

Quote by H L Mencken

Topics: H L Mencken Quotes

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...

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

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

For every complex problem there is an answer that is clear, simple, and wrong.

For every complex problem there is an answer that is clear, simple, and wrong.

Every normal man must be tempted, at times, to spit on his hands, hoist the...

Every normal man must be tempted, at times, to spit on his hands, hoist the...

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 good politician is quite as unthinkable as an honest burglar.

A good politician is quite as unthinkable as an honest burglar.

It is hard to believe that a man is telling the truth when you know...

It is hard to believe that a man is telling the truth when you know...

Each party steals so many articles of faith from the other, and the candidates spend...

Each party steals so many articles of faith from the other, and the candidates spend...

Women have simple tastes. They get pleasure out of the conversation of children in arms...

Women have simple tastes. They get pleasure out of the conversation of children in arms...

One may no more live in the world without picking up the moral prejudices of...

One may no more live in the world without picking up the moral prejudices of...

Man weeps to think that he will die so soon; woman, that she was born...

Man weeps to think that he will die so soon; woman, that she was born...

Most people want security in this world, not liberty.

Most people want security in this world, not liberty.

Temptation is a woman's weapon and man's excuse.

Temptation is a woman's weapon and man's excuse.

When a new source of taxation is found it never means, in practice, that the...

When a new source of taxation is found it never means, in practice, that the...

Man is a beautiful machine that works very badly.

Man is a beautiful machine that works very badly.

Men have a much better time of it than women. For one thing, they marry...

Men have a much better time of it than women. For one thing, they marry...

It is inaccurate to say that I hate everything. I am strongly in favor of...

It is inaccurate to say that I hate everything. I am strongly in favor of...

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

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

If women believed in their husbands they would be a good deal happier and also...

If women believed in their husbands they would be a good deal happier and also...

I never lecture, not because I am shy or a bad speaker, but simply because...

I never lecture, not because I am shy or a bad speaker, but simply because...