H. L. Mencken Quotes

Philosophy is at once the most sublime and the most trivial of human pursuits.

Philosophy begins where religion ends, just as by analogy chemistry begins where alchemy runs out, and astronomy takes the place of astrology.

I'd love to go back to school for philosophy. I love philosophy, so I'm always reading philosophy books, annoying my girlfriend with that type of stuff.

Philosophy, while it soothes the reason, damps the ambition.

Philosophy is by its nature something esoteric, neither made for the mob nor capable of being prepared for the mob.

Born and nurtured when the human being first asked questions about the reason for things and their purpose, philosophy shows in different modes and forms that the desire for truth is part of human nature itself.

Philosophy is man’s expression of curiosity about everything and his attempt to make sense of the world primarily through his intellect.

Philosophy, certainly, is some account of truths the fragments and very insignificant parts of which man will practice in this workshop; truths infinite and in harmony with infinity, in respect to which the very objects and ends of the so-called practical philosopher will be mere propositions, like the rest.

Philosophy is the rational expression of genius.

Philosophy, the love of Wisdom, is at the very bottom defence against the incomprehensible.

To be a real philosopher all that is necessary is to hate some one else's type of thinking.

Philosophy is common sense with big words.

Every single university student should study philosophy. You need to lead the examined life and question your beliefs. If you don't learn critical thinking, then political debate degenerates into a contest of slogans.

Philosophy teaches you to think big.

Philosophy is the product of wonder. The effort after the general characterization of the world around us is the romance of human thought.

Philosophy is an elegant thing, if anyone modestly meddles with it; but if they are conversant with it more than is becoming, it corrupts them.

He could dismiss several schools of philosophy by shifting slightly in his chair or toting his whisky glass.

It was my first meeting with a philosophy that confirmed my vague speculations and seemed at once logical and boundless.

I'm interested in philosophy, I studied it, and I also admit I try to read things that are way above me. I have a limit: I take what I need from it, and I do find that some of my favourite philosophical writings tend to be poppier. I admire smart people who are able to describe things simply or in a human, readable way.

Philosophy cannot be taught; it is the application of the sciences to truth.

Are you a philosopher? Where's your sponge?

What's a philosopher?' said Brutha. Someone who's bright enough to find a job with no heavy lifting,' said a voice in his head.

Learning philosophy is learning a particular kind of intuitive understanding.

Philosophers are often like little children, who first scribble random lines on a piece of paper with their pencils, and now ask an adult 'What is that?

Philosophy's work is finding the shortest path between two points.