Every normal man must be tempted at times to spit on his hands, hoist the black flag, and begin to slit throats.
—H. L. Mencken
Confidence: The feeling that makes one believe a man, even when one knows that one would lie in his place
—H. L. Mencken
Topics: Confidence
Faith may be defined briefly as an illogical belief in the occurrence of the improbable.
—H. L. Mencken
Topics: Faith, Belief
The average man never really thinks from end to end of his life. The mental activity of such people is only a mouthing of cliches.
—H. L. Mencken
Topics: Thinking
The only liberty an inferior man really cherishes is the liberty to quit work, stretch out in the sun, and scratch himself.
—H. L. Mencken
Topics: Work, Stress
It is only doubt that creates. It is the minority that counts.
—H. L. Mencken
A great literature is chiefly the product of inquiring minds in revolt against the immovable certainties of the nation.
—H. L. Mencken
Topics: Literature
Love is the triumph of imagination over intelligence.
—H. L. Mencken
Topics: Love
There is nothing worse than an idle hour, with no occupation offering. People who have many such hours are simply animals waiting docilely for death. We all come to that state soon or late. It is the curse of senility.
—H. L. Mencken
Topics: Idleness
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