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

Quote by H L Mencken

Topics: H L Mencken Quotes

Time stays, we go.

Time stays, we go.

The only cure for contempt is counter-contempt.

The only cure for contempt is counter-contempt.

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

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

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...

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...

Honor is simply the morality of superior men.

Honor is simply the morality of superior men.

The chief contribution of Protestantism to human thought is its massive proof that God is...

The chief contribution of Protestantism to human thought is its massive proof that God is...

Communism, like any other revealed religion, is largely made up of prophecies.

Communism, like any other revealed religion, is largely made up of prophecies.

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.

Each party steals so many articles of faith from the other, and the candidates spend...

Each party steals so many articles of faith from the other, and the candidates spend...

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

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

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...

Alimony - the ransom that the happy pay to the devil.

Alimony - the ransom that the happy pay to the devil.

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...

Conscience is the inner voice that warns us that someone might be looking.

Conscience is the inner voice that warns us that someone might be looking.

Husbands never become good; they merely become proficient.

Husbands never become good; they merely become proficient.

Adultery is the application of democracy to love.

Adultery is the application of democracy to love.

A politician is an animal which can sit on a fence and yet keep both...

A politician is an animal which can sit on a fence and yet keep both...

Poetry has done enough when it charms, but prose must also convince.

Poetry has done enough when it charms, but prose must also convince.

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...