H. L. Mencken Quotes

American journalist and writer (1880–1956)

Henry Louis Mencken (12 September 1880 – 29 January 1956), known as H. L. Mencken, was a twentieth-century journalist, satirist, social critic, cynic, and freethinker, known as the "Sage of Baltimore" and the "American Nietzsche". He is often regarded as one of the most influential American writers of the early 20th century.

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Alternative Names: Henry Louis Mencken

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The most common of all follies is to believe passionately in the palpably not true. It is the chief occupation of mankind.

My literary theory, like my politics, is based chiefly upon one idea, to wit, the idea of freedom. I am, in belief, a libertarian of the most extreme variety.

Philosophy consists very largely of one philosopher arguing that all others are jackasses. He usually proves it, and I should add that he also usually proves that he is one himself.

Don’t overestimate the decency of the human race.

When women kiss, it always reminds one of prize-fighters shaking hands.

Adultery is the application of democracy to love.

Say what you will about the Ten Commandments, you must always come back to the pleasant fact that there are only ten of them.

As for younger writers, Mencken wrote a friend in 1935, “all…seem to be headed toward the left….The left-wing movement…is bound to be transient, but while it lasts it has pretty well killed intelligent criticism in this country. Books are judged not by their worth as works of art, but by their political content…”

The opera…is to music what a bawdy house is to a cathedral.

the average man does not want to be free. he simply wants to be safe.

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. The objection to it is not that it is predominantly painful, but that it is lacking in sense.

Nevertheless, it is even harder for the average ape to believe that he has descended from man.

The trouble with fighting for human freedom is that one spends most of one's time defending scoundrels. For it is against scoundrels that oppressive laws are first aimed, and oppression must be stopped at the beginning if it is to be stopped at all.

If, after I depart this vale, you ever remember me and have thought to please my ghost, forgive some sinner and wink your eye at some homely girl.

You can't do anything about the length of your life, but you can do something about its width and depth.

H. L. Mencken Quotes

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