H. L. Mencken Quote - Liberty Quotes Blog

"The average man does not want to be free.
He simply wants to be safe."

by:	H. L. Mencken (1880-1956) American Journalist, Editor, Essayist, Linguist, Lexicographer, and Critic
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Categories:	Freedom, Safety, Security
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Reader comments about this quote:

This statement describes most members of the GOP and America's Taliban the Religious Right that I know, either personally or via their public persona... like little children they see boogy men and fear all around them, so they give up both their freedom and the freedom of others in favor of hate... for they find comfort in their simple-minded control by the gods they worship. -- Anonymous, Reston, VA US 1
Excellent Reston - the free-thinkers are crucified by mediocrity - if Christ reappeared I'm sure we would crucify him or her again. If you need religion to be kind and loving then both will allude you until the day you die. -- Robert, Sarasota 2
So-called experts tell the average man "don't resist and everything will be fine" ... as on September 11, 2001. The above average man provides his own safety, since neither experts nor police will be around to save him. -- Joe, Rochester, MI
It is good to live where everyone is above average. Perhaps that is why the Middle West has such low crime rates, although it could be because we do fight back. The cops out here are used to receiving help from the citizentry. -- Eric, Wichita, KS 1
AfR and Robert crack me up. Atheism is a self imposed ignorance, complete with faith based unprovable fables and with (by its very nature) no tie to being loving, kind, or moral (right and wrong). Those are intrinsic ideals of religion. As related to the quote, Benjamin Franklin said "Those who wish to sacrifice liberty for perceived security deserve neither." And, I believe that does apply to the average man. -- Mike, Norwalk 1
And THAT is the biggest obstacle to Liberty (and self-realization) -- politicians merely exploit this fact. -- E Archer, NYC 1
-- Anonymous
H L is usually right. -- jim k, Austin 1

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