The whole aim of practical politics is to keep the populace alarmed (and hence clamorous to be led to safety) by menacing it with an endless series of hobgoblins, all of them imaginary.

Quote by Henry Louis Mencken

Topics: Politics Quotes

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...

Immorality: the morality of those who are having a better time

Immorality: the morality of those who are having a better time

The natural tendency of every government is to grow steadily worse - that is, to...

The natural tendency of every government is to grow steadily worse - that is, to...

Sunday School: A prison in which children do penance for the evil conscience of their...

Sunday School: A prison in which children do penance for the evil conscience of their...

Democracy is a pathetic belief in the collective wisdom of individual ignorance.

Democracy is a pathetic belief in the collective wisdom of individual ignorance.

It seems to me that a great university ought to have room in it for...

It seems to me that a great university ought to have room in it for...

Men are sad because they have to die so soon, women are sad because they...

Men are sad because they have to die so soon, women are sad because they...

Intelligence has been commoner among American Presidents than high character.

Intelligence has been commoner among American Presidents than high character.

He (the businessman) is the only man who is forever apologizing for his occupation

He (the businessman) is the only man who is forever apologizing for his occupation

Government is a broker in pillage, and every election is sort of an advance auction...

Government is a broker in pillage, and every election is sort of an advance auction...

Time is the great legalizer, even in the field of morals.

Time is the great legalizer, even in the field of morals.

Marriage is a wonderful institution, but who would want to live in an institution?

Marriage is a wonderful institution, but who would want to live in an institution?

The kind of man who wants government to adopt and enforce his ideas is always...

The kind of man who wants government to adopt and enforce his ideas is always...

The fundamentalist mind, running in a single rut for fifty years, is now quite unable...

The fundamentalist mind, running in a single rut for fifty years, is now quite unable...

A fool who, after plain warning, persists in dosing himself with dangerous drugs should be...

A fool who, after plain warning, persists in dosing himself with dangerous drugs should be...

Temptation is an irresistible force at work on a movable body

Temptation is an irresistible force at work on a movable body

What restrains us from killing is partly fear of punishment, partly moral scruple, and partly...

What restrains us from killing is partly fear of punishment, partly moral scruple, and partly...

Why haven't women got labels on their foreheads saying, Danger: Government Health Warning: Women can...

Why haven't women got labels on their foreheads saying, Danger: Government Health Warning: Women can...

When a woman reaches orgasm with a man she is only collaborating with the patriarchal...

When a woman reaches orgasm with a man she is only collaborating with the patriarchal...

Women aren't embarrassed when they buy men's pajamas, but a man buying a nightgown acts...

Women aren't embarrassed when they buy men's pajamas, but a man buying a nightgown acts...