Historian: an unsuccessful novelist.

Quote by H L Mencken

Topics: H L Mencken Quotes

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.

To die for an idea; it is unquestionably noble. But how much nobler it would...

To die for an idea; it is unquestionably noble. But how much nobler it would...

It is hard for the ape to believe he descended from man.

It is hard for the ape to believe he descended from man.

Every man sees in his relatives, and especially in his cousins, a series of grotesque...

Every man sees in his relatives, and especially in his cousins, a series of grotesque...

Love is like war: easy to begin but very hard to stop.

Love is like war: easy to begin but very hard to stop.

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...

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...

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...

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

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

The most costly of all follies is to believe passionately in the palpably not true....

The most costly of all follies is to believe passionately in the palpably not true....

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...

The most dangerous man to any government is the man who is able to think...

The most dangerous man to any government is the man who is able to think...

Husbands never become good; they merely become proficient.

Husbands never become good; they merely become proficient.

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...

If a politician found he had cannibals among his constituents, he would promise them missionaries...

If a politician found he had cannibals among his constituents, he would promise them missionaries...

Nevertheless, it is even harder for the average ape to believe that he has descended...

Nevertheless, it is even harder for the average ape to believe that he has descended...

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...

No man ever quite believes in any other man. One may believe in an idea...

No man ever quite believes in any other man. One may believe in an idea...

Don't overestimate the decency of the human race.

Don't overestimate the decency of the human race.

A church is a place in which gentlemen who have never been to heaven brag...

A church is a place in which gentlemen who have never been to heaven brag...