Democracy is a pathetic belief in the collective wisdom of individual ignorance.
H. L. MENCKENThe common argument that crime is caused by poverty is a kind of slander on the poor.
More H. L. Mencken Quotes
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Freedom of press is limited to those who own one.
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Journalism is to politician as dog is to lamp-post.
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There are two kinds of Europeans: The smart ones, and those who stayed behind.
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The common argument that crime is caused by poverty is a kind of slander on the poor.
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Sometimes the idiots outvote the sensible people.
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The one permanent emotion of the inferior man is fear – fear of the unknown, the complex, the inexplicable. What he wants above everything else is safety.
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Government’s great contribution to human wisdom is the discovery that the taxpayer has more than one pocket.
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Every normal man must be tempted, at times, to spit on his hands, hoist the black flag, and begin slitting throats.
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The urge to save humanity is almost always a false front for the urge to rule.
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A man may be a fool and not know it, but not if he is married.
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The final test of truth is ridicule. Very few dogmas have ever faced it and survived.
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In 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.
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It is even harder for the average ape to believe that he has descended from man.
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When fanatics are on top there is no limit to oppression.
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There are two impossibilities in life: “just one drink” and “an honest politician.”
H. L. MENCKEN