H. L. Mencken Quote - Liberty Quotes Blog

"The men the American people admire most extravagantly are the greatest liars:
the men they detest most violently are those who try to tell them the truth."

by:	H. L. Mencken (1880-1956) American Journalist, Editor, Essayist, Linguist, Lexicographer, and Critic
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Categories:	America, Humor, Hypocrisy, Truth
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Reader comments about this quote:

I think that this may be true, but not universally. Maybe it applies to the Obama lovers, Thomas Jefferson, maybe not so much. -- Howard, Bangkok 3 1
It was certainly true of FDR. He never told the truth. -- Cal, lewisville, tx 4
How do we punish liars like Bill Clinton, Nancy Pelosi, and Harry Reid,by reelecting them. -- jim k, Austin, Tx 5
Way too true. The exceptions are so small that they are hardly worth mentioning. But those that try to expose the the lies are indeed violently opposed at nearly every turn. We can see that today whereby the FBI has released guidelines for detecting 'domestic terrorists' -- those that call themselves Constitutionalists or patriots or who quote from the Constitution or Bible or say that the government is exceeding its authority. Yes, we knew it was coming when the Patriot Act was passed, 'terrorists' now include those that are a threat to unlawful government acts. The FBI now considers law-abiding citizens a "serious threat" to national security. Wake the f#$% up, America! -- E Archer, NYC 3
Archer, so many of us KNOW ur right, and yep, so many refuse to look at the truth, i have part of it figured out, most are cowards, or afraid to lose all. At least there are some true brave Americans here. In those days, they shall call right wrong, and wrong right, they will be blinded as to the truth. I don't know if its the fluoride or the Koolaide, but people are blind, most just don't give a dam. So, they will get what they deserve. Hard as hell to watch this happen to our nation. Some here, I feel i know, they have posted for so long, if i met them on the street, i would know them. By the way, the new Obama law on domestic terrorists, was just used against the Hawaiians here in molkai, they were told they can be arrested without warrant, bail, or trial, and held indefinitely, to see the mess, go to u tube, put in "Molkai cruise ship blockade" These people were told by "men in black" that they would be arrested under this law, if they entered the water. All true, so, for those who don't believe, well, it just happened. Archer, friends, as much as i hate to say this, perhaps its time for us all to get the hell out, before they bring down the curtain. Not sayin im a coward, but am sayin the game they are playing is one sided, and we are past the point of no return. -- Kimo, USA 2
Let's see, let's put it to the test. What do so many say about the government's industrial media complex (ABC, NBC, CBS, CNN, FOX, etc.); and, What does that media say about Ron Paul. YEP, real accurate. -- Mike, Norwalk 4
The validity of this quote is proven in every election. -- Jim Young, Reno 4
Amen! Amen! -- Bruski, Naples FL 2
" The Truth " simply hidden, ears that cannot hear, eyes that cannot see. Unless they hear with their ears and believe in their heart and be converted. The greatest of liberties, A tri-cord of understanding, Chophshiy, Eleutheria, and Apeleutheros liberty. Very sure are the testimonies of our Creator. So sure that extremely brave men and women, families in tow, risked their lives and fortunes to take a stand against monarchies ripe with tyranny, oppression, and bondage of their fellow man. What a great start declaring access to the presence of God, freed from bondage and set at financial Liberty, at your pleasure. Brakah liberality, blessed indeed, Threskos concerning a religious practice of true piety. A practice of essentialism, skills taught first to assure independence of the individual. -- Ronw13, Oregon 2
Telling people what they want to hear is a winning formula, telling them what they need to hear is no fun at all. -- J. Allen, Arlington,Va 1
If politicians (RINOs) tell the truth and then do nothing, they can get by relatively unscathed. Woe be under one (Trump) who tells the truth and actually tries to do something about it. -- Durham, Birmingham,AL
Duly noted, but we must change the situation and make true words sound fine, and fine sounding words true. I personally admire honest individuals and feel they should be the rewarded. -- Fredrick William Sillik, Anytown
Correction: Sorry. This quote is not correct for the public do not admire the liars, they just reward them. The conventional don't detest the truth teller but they wish to torture them to lie/death. It similar to the unborn fetus that the "inconvenient" individual causes the parents. Although they hurry to destroy this innocent individual they appreciate its existence more than any of the born populous. This situation is need of desperate change. I personally admire the honest individual, and believe they should be rewarded with respectful recognition. -- Fredrick William Sillik, Anytown

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