H. L. Mencken Quotes

American - Writer | September 12, 1880 - January 29, 1956

There is always an easy solution to every problem - neat, plausible, and wrong.

H. L. Mencken

ProblemSolutionEasyWrongAlways

An idealist is one who, on noticing that roses smell better than a cabbage, concludes that it will also make better soup.

H. L. Mencken

SoupBetterRosesWillSmellWho

For it is mutual trust, even more than mutual interest that holds human associations together. Our friends seldom profit us but they make us feel safe. Marriage is a scheme to accomplish exactly that same end.

H. L. Mencken

MarriageTrustTogetherEndFriends

The theory seems to be that as long as a man is a failure he is one of God's children, but that as soon as he succeeds he is taken over by the Devil.

H. L. Mencken

FailureGodChildrenManDevilLong

Honor is simply the morality of superior men.

H. L. Mencken

MenHonorMoralitySuperiorSimply

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

H. L. Mencken

TimeBetterMoralityWhoThose

I believe that all government is evil, and that trying to improve it is largely a waste of time.

H. L. Mencken

TimeGovernmentEvilBelieveTrying

A good politician is quite as unthinkable as an honest burglar.

H. L. Mencken

GoodHonestPoliticianQuiteBurglar

The basic fact about human existence is not that it is a tragedy, but that it is a bore. It is not so much a war as an endless standing in line.

H. L. Mencken

LifeWarTragedyHumanLineBasic

It is hard to believe that a man is telling the truth when you know that you would lie if you were in his place.

H. L. Mencken

TruthLieManBelieveYouPlace

Every man is his own hell.

H. L. Mencken

ManHellOwnEvery ManEveryHis

A national political campaign is better than the best circus ever heard of, with a mass baptism and a couple of hangings thrown in.

H. L. Mencken

BestBetterPoliticalBaptismCircus

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