#v

When a new source of taxation is found it never means, in practice, that the old source is abandoned. It merely means that the politicians have two ways of milking the taxpayer where they had one before. ↗

— H. L. Mencken

#before #found #had #means #merely

It is hard to believe that a man is telling the truth when you know that you would lie if you were in his place. ↗

— H. L. Mencken

#hard #his #know #lie #man

The chief beginning of evil is goodness in excess. ↗

— Menander

#chief #evil #excess #goodness

The most dangerous man to any government is the man who is able to think things out... without regard to the prevailing superstitions and taboos. Almost inevitably he comes to the conclusion that the government he lives under is dishonest, insane, intolerable. ↗

— H. L. Mencken

#almost #any #comes #conclusion #dangerous

I believe that it is better to tell the truth than a lie. I believe it is better to be free than to be a slave. And I believe it is better to know than to be ignorant. ↗

— H. L. Mencken

#better #free #i #i believe #i believe that

No one in this world has ever lost money by underestimating the intelligence of the great masses of the plain people. Nor has anyone ever lost public office thereby. ↗

— H. L. Mencken

#ever #great #great masses #intelligence #lost

Don't overestimate the decency of the human race. ↗

— H. L. Mencken

#human #human race #overestimate #race

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. ↗

— H. L. Mencken

#associations #end #even #exactly #feel

Temptation is an irresistible force at work on a movable body. ↗

— H. L. Mencken

#force #irresistible #movable #temptation #work

The common argument that crime is caused by poverty is a kind of slander on the poor. ↗

— H. L. Mencken

#caused #common #crime #kind #poor