1,045 Quotes by H. L. Mencken

Men become civilized, not in proportion to their willingness to believe, but in their readiness to doubt.

The dying man doesn't struggle much and he isn't much afraid. As his alkalies give out he succumbs to a blest stupidity. His mindfogs. His will power vanishes. He submits decently. He scarcely gives a damn.

There comes a day of public ceremonial, and a chance to make a speech.... A million voters with IQs below 60 have their ears glued to the radio. It takes four days' hard work to concoct a speech without a sensible word in it. Next a dam must be opened somewhere. Four dry Senators get drunk and make a painful scene. The Presidential automobile runs over a dog. It rains.

Metaphysics is almost always an attempt to prove the incredible by an appeal to the unintelligible.

The intellectual heritage of the race belongs to the minority.

The real man lies in the depths of subconscious.

Democracy the domination of unreflective and timorous men, moved in vast herds by mob conditions.

Husbands never become good; they merely become proficient.

Every normal man must be tempted, at times, to spit on his hands, hoist the black flag, and begin slitting throats.