Philosophy consists very largely of one philosopher arguing that all others are jackasses. He usually proves it, and I should add that he also usually proves that he is one himself.
Interpretation
Philosophy often involves critical arguments against other philosophers, demonstrating self-reflection and irony.
In this quote, H. L. Mencken humorously critiques the nature of philosophical debate, suggesting that philosophers frequently engage in disputes where they label their peers as foolish while simultaneously revealing their own flaws. This self-deprecating observation highlights the contentious and sometimes contradictory nature of philosophical discourse, where the pursuit of truth often involves recognizing one's own biases and shortcomings.
In practice
In a lecture about critical thinking, you could use this quote to illustrate the importance of questioning both others' ideas and your own.
I know a good many men of great learning-that is, men born with an extraordinary eagerness and capacity to acquire knowledge. One and all, they tell me that they can't recall learning anything of any value in school. All that schoolmasters managed to accomplish with them was to test and determine the amount of knowledge that they had already acquired independently-and not infrequently the determination was made clumsily and inaccurately.
It takes a long while for a naturally trustful person to reconcile himself to the idea that after all God will not help him
It is the theory of all modern civilized governments that they protect and foster the liberty of the citizen; it is the practice of all of them to limit its exercise, and sometimes very narrowly.
The central belief of every moron is that he is the victim of a mysterious conspiracy against his common rights and true deserts.
The cure for the evils of democracy is more democracy.
It is my conviction that no normal man ever fell in love, within the ordinary meaning of the term, after the age of thirty.
The trick. . .is to find the balance between the bright colors of humor and the serious issues of identity, self-loathing, and the possibility for intimacy and love when it seems no longer possible or, sadder yet, no longer necessary.
Keep in mind that the true measure of an individual is how he treats a person who can do him absolutely no good.
Charity is only a waystation on the road to justice.
We have power... Our power isn’t in a political system, or a religious system, or in an economic system, or in a military system; these are authoritarian systems... they have power... but it’s not reality. The power of our intelligence, individually or collectively IS the power; this is the power that any industrial ruling class truly fears: clear coherent human beings.
To live a disciplined life, and to accept the result of that discipline as the will of God - that is the mark of a man.
And I or you pocketless of a dime, may purchase the pick of the earth.
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