No government, of its own motion, will increase its own weakness, for that would mean to acquiesce in its own destruction ... governments, whatever their pretensions otherwise, try to preserve themselves by holding the individual down ... Government itself, indeed, may be reasonably defined as a conspiracy against him. Its one permanent aim, whatever its form, is to hobble him sufficiently to maintain itself.
More from H. L. Mencken
Men become civilized, not in proportion to their willingness to believe, but in proportion to their readiness to doubt.
Permalink to quote #116 No one ever went broke underestimating the taste of the American public.
Permalink to quote #118 Marriage is a wonderful institution, but who would want to live in an institution.
Permalink to quote #115