I never lecture, not because I am shy or a bad speaker, but simply because I detest the sort of people who go to lectures and don't want to meet them.

Quote by H L Mencken

Topics: H L Mencken Quotes

Life is a dead-end street.

Life is a dead-end street.

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...

A professor must have a theory as a dog must have fleas.

A professor must have a theory as a dog must have fleas.

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...

Judge: a law student who marks his own examination-papers.

Judge: a law student who marks his own examination-papers.

Opera in English is, in the main, just about as sensible as baseball in Italian.

Opera in English is, in the main, just about as sensible as baseball in Italian.

Adultery is the application of democracy to love.

Adultery is the application of democracy to love.

Husbands never become good; they merely become proficient.

Husbands never become good; they merely become proficient.

There are men so philosophical that they can see humor in their own toothaches. But...

There are men so philosophical that they can see humor in their own toothaches. But...

For it is mutual trust, even more than mutual interest that holds human associations together....

For it is mutual trust, even more than mutual interest that holds human associations together....

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...

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...

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...

A man may be a fool and not know it, but not if he is...

A man may be a fool and not know it, but not if he is...

The opera is to music what a bawdy house is to a cathedral.

The opera is to music what a bawdy house is to a cathedral.

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

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

It doesn't take a majority to make a rebellion; it takes only a few determined...

It doesn't take a majority to make a rebellion; it takes only a few determined...

Self-respect: the secure feeling that no one, as yet, is suspicious.

Self-respect: the secure feeling that no one, as yet, is suspicious.

Immorality: the morality of those who are having a better time.

Immorality: the morality of those who are having a better time.

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

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