Under democracy one party always devotes its chief energies to trying to prove that the other party is unfit to rule—and both commonly succeed, and are right.
H. L. MENCKENUnder democracy one party always devotes its chief energies to trying to prove that the other party is unfit to rule—and both commonly succeed, and are right.
H. L. MENCKENThe chief difference between free capitalism and State socialism seems to be this: that under the former a man pursues his own advantage openly, frankly and honestly, whereas under the latter he does so hypocritically and under false pretenses.
H. L. MENCKENA man may be a fool and not know it, but not if he is married.
H. L. MENCKENThere are two kinds of Europeans: The smart ones, and those who stayed behind.
H. L. MENCKENDemocracy is the art and science of running the circus from the monkey cage.
H. L. MENCKENChange is not progress.
H. L. MENCKENThe 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. MENCKENDon’t overestimate the decency of the human race.
H. L. MENCKENDemocracy is a pathetic belief in the collective wisdom of individual ignorance.
H. L. MENCKENIn this world of sin and sorrow there is always something to be thankful for; as for me, I rejoice that I am not a Republican.
H. L. MENCKENThe most dangerous man to any government is the man who is able to think things out for himself.
H. L. MENCKENMost people want security in this world, not liberty.
H. L. MENCKENA professional politician is a professionally dishonorable man. In order to get anywhere near high office he has to make so many compromises and submit to so many humiliations that he becomes indistinguishable from a streetwalker.
H. L. MENCKENThe central belief of every moron is that he is the victim of a mysterious conspiracy against his common rights and true deserts.
H. L. MENCKENImagine the Creator as a low comedian, and at once the world becomes explicable.
H. L. MENCKENThe men the American people admire most extravagantly are the most daring liars; the men they detest most violently are those who try to tell them the truth.
H. L. MENCKEN