Quotes from H L Mencken

It doesn't take a majority to make a rebellion; it takes only a few determined leaders and a sound cause.

Character in decay is the theme of the great bulk of superior fiction.

On some great and glorious day the plain folks of the land will reach their heart's desire at last, and the White House will be adorned by a downright moron'.

The truth that survives is simply the lie that is pleasantest to believe.

For it is mutual trust, even more than mutual interest that holds human associations together. Our friends seldom profit us but they make us feel safe. Marriage is a scheme to accomplish exactly that same end.

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.

When a man laughs at his troubles he loses a great many friends. They never forgive the loss of their prerogative.

A good politician is quite as unthinkable as an honest burglar.

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

A judge is a law student who marks his own examination papers.

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

Love is like war: easy to begin but very hard to stop.

The average man does not get pleasure out of an idea because he thinks it is true; he thinks it is true because he gets pleasure out of it.

Women have simple tastes. They get pleasure out of the conversation of children in arms and men in love.

Love is the delusion that one man or woman differs from another.

To be in love is merely to be in a perpetual state of anesthesia.