Platitude: an idea (a) that is admitted to be true by everyone, and (b) that is not true.

Quote by H L Mencken

Topics: H L Mencken Quotes

Temptation is an irresistible force at work on a movable body.

Temptation is an irresistible force at work on a movable body.

A man always remembers his first love with special tenderness, but after that he begins...

A man always remembers his first love with special tenderness, but after that he begins...

If, after I depart this vale, you ever remember me and have thought to please...

If, after I depart this vale, you ever remember me and have thought to please...

Before a man speaks it is always safe to assume that he is a fool....

Before a man speaks it is always safe to assume that he is a fool....

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 believe that it is better to tell the truth than a lie. I believe...

I believe that it is better to tell the truth than a lie. I believe...

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

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

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

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

War will never cease until babies begin to come into the world with larger cerebrums...

War will never cease until babies begin to come into the world with larger cerebrums...

The cynics are right nine times out of ten.

The cynics are right nine times out of ten.

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....

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...

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...

The average man does not get pleasure out of an idea because he thinks it...

The average man does not get pleasure out of an idea because he thinks it...

I never smoked a cigarette until I was nine.

I never smoked a cigarette until I was nine.

The worst government is often the most moral. One composed of cynics is often very...

The worst government is often the most moral. One composed of cynics is often very...

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...

Injustice is relatively easy to bear; what sting is justice.

Injustice is relatively easy to bear; what sting is justice.

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.

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...