H. L. Mencken Quotes

I am bound to furnish my antagonists with arguments, but not with comprehension.

One can always debate questions back and forth.

When reason and unreason come into contact, an electrical shock occurs. This is called polemics.

I like arguments.

People say I am against Darwin. That is ridiculous.

I hesitate to get into the gutter with this guy.

Discussion in America means dissent.

When I am right, I get angry. Churchill gets angry when he is wrong. We are angry at each other much of the time.

I am used to controversies.

When two or more people agree on an issue, I form on the other side.

If you want to give me a good faceful for one of my political positions, I can take it.

Disagreement is something normal.

Oh my God, I don't think you can say anyone looks forward to controversy.

Capital punishment is the source of many an argument, both good and bad.

I've never backed down from a fight and I relish a good debate.

The more ideas there are in circulation, the more ideas there are for any individual to disagree with. More media always means more arguing.

Controversy is only dreaded by the advocates of error.

Scholars will argue with each other about everything.

If you are explaining, you are losing.

Never argue with a fool - people might not know the difference.

An enemy will agree, but a friend will argue.

Discussion is an exchange of knowledge; argument an exchange of ignorance.

We are a fiercely argumentative lot.

I do not impugn the motives of any one opposed to me

I hate consensus. I like confrontation.