It is not materialism that is the chief curse of the world, as pastors teach, but idealism. Men get into trouble by taking their visions and hallucinations too seriously.

Quote by H L Mencken

Topics: H L Mencken Quotes

Don't overestimate the decency of the human race.

Don't overestimate the decency of the human race.

Nobody ever went broke underestimating the taste of the American public.

Nobody ever went broke underestimating the taste of the American public.

No matter how long he lives, no man ever becomes as wise as the average...

No matter how long he lives, no man ever becomes as wise as the average...

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...

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...

Every election is a sort of advance auction sale of stolen goods.

Every election is a sort of advance auction sale of stolen goods.

We must be willing to pay a price for freedom.

We must be willing to pay a price for freedom.

Giving every man a vote has no more made men wise and free than Christianity...

Giving every man a vote has no more made men wise and free than Christianity...

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...

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...

I write in order to attain that feeling of tension relieved and function achieved which...

I write in order to attain that feeling of tension relieved and function achieved which...

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...

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...

Whenever you hear a man speak of his love for his country, it is a...

Whenever you hear a man speak of his love for his country, it is a...

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

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

The common argument that crime is caused by poverty is a kind of slander on...

The common argument that crime is caused by poverty is a kind of slander on...

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

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

Archbishop - A Christian ecclesiastic of a rank superior to that attained by Christ.

Archbishop - A Christian ecclesiastic of a rank superior to that attained by Christ.

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...

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...