No politician is ever benefited by saving money; it is spending it that makes him. H. L. Mencken More Quotes by H. L. Mencken More Quotes From H. L. Mencken There is something even more valuable to civilization than wisdom, and that is character. H. L. Mencken character civilization religion Self-respect - The secure feeling that no one, as yet, is suspicious. H. L. Mencken respect personality self A wealthy man is one who earns $100 a year more than his wife's sister's husband. H. L. Mencken husband men years Don't overestimate the decency of the human race. H. L. Mencken dignity race literature There are no dull subjects. There are only dull writers. H. L. Mencken subjects writing dull On one issue, at least, men and women agree. They both distrust women. H. L. Mencken hilarious women funny The worst government is often the most moral. One composed of cynics is often very tolerant and humane. But when fanatics are on top there is no limit to oppression. H. L. Mencken usa government literature 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 vegetables food life The only good bureaucrat is one with a pistol at his head. Put it in his hand and it's good-bye to the Bill of Rights. H. L. Mencken gun rights hands Writing books is certainly a most unpleasant occupation. It is lonesome, unsanitary, and maddening. Many authors go crazy. H. L. Mencken crazy success book The essence of science is that it is always willing to abandon a given idea for a better one; the essence of theology is that it holds its truths to be eternal and immutable. H. L. Mencken essence ideas religion The objection to a Communist always resolves itself into the fact that he is not a gentleman. H. L. Mencken gentleman communism facts Man is a natural polygamist: he always has one woman leading him by the nose, and another hanging on to his coattails. H. L. Mencken hanging-on noses men Genius: the ability to prolong one's childhood. H. L. Mencken ability childhood genius [The] erroneous assumption is to the effect that the aim of public education is to fill the young of the species with knowledge and awaken their intelligence, and so make them fit to discharge the duties of citizenship in an enlightened and independent manner. Nothing could be further from the truth. The aim of public education is not to spread enlightenment at all; it is simply to reduce as many individuals as possible to the same safe level, to breed and train a standardised citizenry, to put down dissent and originality. H. L. Mencken independent science knowledge We are here and it is now. Further than that, all human knowledge is moonshine. H. L. Mencken drinking inspirational knowledge The scientist who yields anything to theology, however slight, is yielding to ignorance and false pretenses, and as certainly as if he granted that a horse-hair put into a bottle of water will turn into a snake. H. L. Mencken horse ignorance religious There is no record in the history of a nation that ever gained anything valuable by being unable to defend itself. H. L. Mencken valuable records military Our whole practical government is grounded in mob psychology and the Boobus Americanus will follow any command that promises to make him safer. H. L. Mencken psychology government america The chief value of money lies in the fact that one lives in a world in which it is overestimated. H. L. Mencken inspiring appreciation funny
