Puritanism. The haunting fear that someone, somewhere, may be happy.

Quote by H L Mencken

Topics: H L Mencken Quotes

The truth that survives is simply the lie that is pleasantest to believe.

The truth that survives is simply the lie that is pleasantest to believe.

Let's not burn the universities yet. After all, the damage they do might be worse.

Let's not burn the universities yet. After all, the damage they do might be worse.

Say what you will about the ten commandments, you must always come back to the...

Say what you will about the ten commandments, you must always come back to the...

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

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

Honor is simply the morality of superior men.

Honor is simply the morality of superior men.

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.

Platitude: an idea (a) that is admitted to be true by everyone, and (b) that...

Platitude: an idea (a) that is admitted to be true by everyone, and (b) that...

Nine times out of ten, in the arts as in life, there is actually no...

Nine times out of ten, in the arts as in life, there is actually no...

I hate all sports as rabidly as a person who likes sports hates common sense.

I hate all sports as rabidly as a person who likes sports hates common sense.

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...

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...

Life is a dead-end street.

Life is a dead-end street.

Love is the delusion that one woman differs from another.

Love is the delusion that one woman differs from another.

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

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

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

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

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...

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...

The basic fact about human existence is not that it is a tragedy, but that...

The basic fact about human existence is not that it is a tragedy, but that...

One way or another, we all have to find what best fosters the flowering of...

One way or another, we all have to find what best fosters the flowering of...

Life becomes harder for us when we live for others, but it also becomes richer...

Life becomes harder for us when we live for others, but it also becomes richer...