Sometimes the idiots outvote the sensible people.
Interpretation
This quote highlights the frustration that arises when irrational or uninformed opinions prevail over rational ones in decision-making processes.
H. L. Mencken's quote reflects a common concern in democratic societies where the majority opinion can sometimes undermine sound reasoning and sensible arguments. It emphasizes the idea that intelligence and critical thinking do not always lead to victories in public discourse, as emotions and populism can overpower logic, leading to decisions that may not be in the best interest of society.
In practice
In a debate about public policy, someone might use this quote to express their concern about how popular sentiment can overshadow expert advice.
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.
I am not a member of any organized political party. I am a Democrat.
The Iranian government is undoubtedly a severe danger to its own population, but not beyond that.
We must have faith, first, that the peasant masses are ready to advance step by step along the road of socialism under the leadership of the Party, and second, that the Party is capable of leading the peasants along this road. These two points are the essence of the matter, the main current.
Whenever a fellow tells me he's bipartisan, I know he's going to vote against me.
The very essence of a free government consists in considering offices as public trusts, bestowed for the good of the country, and not for the benefit of an individual or a party.
The foundations of our national policy will be laid in the pure and immutable principles of private morality, and the preeminence of free government be exemplified by all the attributes which can win the affections of its citizens, and command the respect of the world.
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