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

Quote by H L Mencken

Topics: H L Mencken Quotes

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.

The penalty for laughing in a courtroom is six months in jail; if it were...

The penalty for laughing in a courtroom is six months in jail; if it were...

Have you ever watched a crab on the shore crawling backward in search of the...

Have you ever watched a crab on the shore crawling backward in search of the...

A newspaper is a device for making the ignorant more ignorant and the crazy crazier.

A newspaper is a device for making the ignorant more ignorant and the crazy crazier.

We are here and it is now. Further than that, all human knowledge is moonshine.

We are here and it is now. Further than that, all human knowledge is moonshine.

Unquestionably, there is progress. The average American now pays out twice as much in taxes...

Unquestionably, there is progress. The average American now pays out twice as much in taxes...

Time stays, we go.

Time stays, we go.

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

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

Don't overestimate the decency of the human race.

Don't overestimate the decency of the human race.

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.

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...

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...

Life is a constant oscillation between the sharp horns of dilemmas.

Life is a constant oscillation between the sharp horns of dilemmas.

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

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

The cynics are right nine times out of ten.

The cynics are right nine times out of ten.

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...

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....

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...

The door that will no longer open is usually the one that you slammed shut.

The door that will no longer open is usually the one that you slammed shut.

The phrase 'unconscious humor' is the one contribution I have made to the current literature...

The phrase 'unconscious humor' is the one contribution I have made to the current literature...