History deals mainly with captains and kings, gods and prophets, exploiters and despoilers, not with useful men.

Love is like war: easy to begin but very hard to stop.

On some great and glorious day the plain folks of the land will reach their heart's desire at last, and the White House will be adorned by a downright moron.

The demagogue is one who preaches doctrines he knows to be untrue to men he knows to be idiots.

The whole aim of practical politics is to keep the populace alarmed (and hence clamorous to be led to safety) by menacing it with an endless series of hobgoblins, all of them imaginary.

Morality is doing what is right, no matter what you are told. Religion is doing what you are told, no matter what is right.

Every normal man must be tempted, at times, to spit on his hands, hoist the black flag, and begin slitting throats.

Democracy is a pathetic belief in the collective wisdom of individual ignorance.

The urge to save humanity is almost always a false front for the urge to rule.

It is inaccurate to say that I hate everything. I am strongly in favor of common sense, common honesty, and common decency. This makes me forever ineligible for public office.

Democracy is also a form of worship. It is the worship of Jackals by Jackasses.

The door', replied Maimie, 'will always, always be open, and mother will always be waiting at it for me.

Resentment generates hate

It's a lot easier to do good work when you have good words to say and work with good people.

Well Connor thought ruefully At least now I know who to thank for my anger issues.

Aesthetic delectation is the danger to be avoided.

Mere fact has no chance of being formally perfect. It will get in the way, it will be all elbows.

A religion that teaches you God is something outside the world--something separate from everything you see, smell, taste, touch, and hear--is nothing but a cheap hustle.

You don't take insults. You leave them with the insulter.

I like old people, just as I like old trees: in their shadow there is freshness and peace, one admires them, and around them everything is so calm.