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H. L. Mencken

Every election is a sort of advance auction sale of stolen goods.

Every election is a sort of advance auction sale of stolen goods.

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H. L. Mencken

The theory seems to be that as long as a man is a failure he is one of God’s children, but that as soon as he succeeds he is taken over by the devil.

The theory seems to be that as long as a man is a failure he is one of God’s children, but that as soon as he succeeds he is taken over by the devil.

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H. L. Mencken

Unquestionably, there is progress. The average American now pays out twice as much in taxes as he formerly got in wages.

Unquestionably, there is progress. The average American now pays out twice as much in taxes as he formerly got in wages.

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H. L. Mencken

No one ever went broke underestimating the taste of the American public.

No one ever went broke underestimating the taste of the American public.

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H. L. Mencken

We must respect the other fellow’s religion, but only in the sense and to the extent that we respect his theory that his wife is beautiful and his children are smart.

We must respect the other fellow’s religion, but only in the sense and to the extent that we respect his theory that his wife is beautiful and his children are smart.

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H. L. Mencken

No man ever quite believes in any other man.

No man ever quite believes in any other man.
One may believe in an idea absolutely, but not in a man.

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H. L. Mencken

A cynic is a man who, when he smells flowers, looks around for a coffin.

A cynic is a man who, when he smells flowers, looks around for a coffin.

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H. L. Mencken

It is a sin to believe evil of others, but it is seldom a mistake.

It is a sin to believe evil of others, but it is seldom a mistake.

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H. L. Mencken

Explanations exist; they have existed for all times, for there is always an easy solution to every human problem – neat, plausible, and wrong.

Explanations exist; they have existed for all times, for there is always an easy solution to every human problem – neat, plausible, and wrong.

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H. L. Mencken

For every problem, there is a solution that is simple, elegant, and wrong.

For every problem, there is a solution that is simple, elegant, and wrong.

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H. L. Mencken

Love is the triumph of imagination over intelligence.

Love is the triumph of imagination over intelligence.

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H. L. Mencken

A man may be a fool and not know it – but not if he is married.

A man may be a fool and not know it – but not if he is married.

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H. L. Mencken

Creator — A comedian whose audience is afraid to laugh.

Creator — A comedian whose audience is afraid to laugh.

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H. L. Mencken

Thanksgiving Day-A day devoted by persons with inflammatory rheumatism to thanking a loving Father that it is not hydrophobia.

Thanksgiving Day-A day devoted by persons with inflammatory rheumatism to thanking a loving Father that it is not hydrophobia.

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H. L. Mencken

easy to begin but very hard to stop.

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