H. L. Mencken: Lost Money People

H. L. Mencken Money Quote saying nobody is likely to lose money believing people are not as smart as they should be. H. L. Mencken said:
 

 

“No one in this world, so far as I know … has ever lost money by underestimating the intelligence of the great masses of the plain people” — H. L. Mencken

In this quote, writer and critic H.L. Mencken is making a cynical observation about human nature. He suggests that it is rare for someone to miscalculate public opinion or lose financially by assuming most ordinary people lack intellectual sophistication. Mencken implies the “great masses” can be easily manipulated or their interests underestimated without negative consequences.

Overall, the quote portrays a dim view of the general population’s intelligence and independence of thought. It advises those seeking to influence the public or turn a profit not to overestimate people’s discernment, as they may be misled or uncritical in their views more often than not.

Birthday: September 12, 1880 – Death: January 29, 1956

H.L. Mencken: Crime Cause Slanders Poor

H.L. Mencken Money Quote saying many people believe that crime is a result of poverty and use that belief to insult the poor. H.L. Mencken said:
 

 

“The common argument that crime is caused by poverty is a kind of slander on the poor” — H.L. Mencken

This quote by H.L. Mencken seems to be arguing against the idea that poverty alone causes crime. Mencken describes claiming that poverty causes crime as a “kind of slander on the poor”, implying it unfairly blames and makes assumptions about impoverished people.

The best interpretation is that Mencken is suggesting poverty does not inevitably or solely lead people to criminal behavior, and that there is an element of personal choice involved regardless of one’s economic circumstances. Mencken appears to have been challenging a common argument at the time which stereotyped the poor as more criminal or lawless due simply to their lack of wealth.

Birthday: September 12, 1880 – Death: January 29, 1956

H.L. Mencken: Best Client Scared Millionaire

H.L. Mencken Money Quote saying those with plenty of money who are afraid of something, will be happy to spend plenty of cash to protect them from their fears. H.L. Mencken said:
 

 

“The best client is a scared millionaire” — H.L. Mencken

In this quote, H.L. Mencken seems to be referring to clients from a business perspective. The “best client” he identifies is “a scared millionaire”. Mencken appears to be suggesting that wealthy individuals who are fearful or anxious about some aspect of their finances, legal affairs, health, etc. will be the most lucrative clients to take on.

Presumably because scared millionaires have more resources and will be highly motivated to pay well for services to alleviate their concerns or protect their wealth and interests.

The overall interpretation is that Mencken is advocating focusing business efforts on serving affluent clients who are experiencing worry or unease, since their “scared” state may make them especially eager to compensate well for solutions or reassurance.

Birthday: September 12, 1880 – Death: January 29, 1956

H.L. Mencken: Useless & Evil Things

H.L. Mencken Money Quotation saying total volume of spending in a rich city exceeds the entire budget of a small country. H.L. Mencken said:
 

 

“During many a single week, I daresay, more money is spent in New York upon useless and evil things than would suffice to run the kingdom of Denmark for a year” — H.L. Mencken

In this quote, H.L. Mencken is drawing a comparison between the lavish spending habits he observed in New York City versus the more modest budget of an entire country. Specifically, Mencken suggests that the amount of money wasted on frivolous or harmful pursuits in New York during a single week would be enough to fund all of Denmark’s government expenditures for an entire year.

The implication is that New York residents and businesses spent exorbitantly on unnecessary luxuries, entertainment and vices compared to the fiscal needs of maintaining an entire sovereign state.

In essence, Mencken appears to be criticizing the conspicuous consumption and indulgence he saw in 1920s New York by contrasting it with the relatively thrifty management required to govern the modest-sized nation of Denmark.

Birthday: September 12, 1880 – Death: January 29, 1956

H. L. Mencken on Overestimation of Value

H. L. Mencken Money Quotation saying our society puts more currency in cash than the value it actually holds. H. L. Mencken said:
 

 

“The chief value of money lies in the fact that one lives in a world in which it is overestimated” — H. L. Mencken

This quote from H.L. Mencken suggests that money holds most value and importance because it is excessively idolized and prioritized within society.

The best interpretation is that Mencken believed placing too much emphasis on wealth and financial gain is misguided, yet this overestimation is what makes money so influential and impactful.

According to Mencken, money would not command such power and significance if its true worth were properly understood rather than overrated.

The implication seems to be that Mencken saw money as more of a social construct than an intrinsic good, and its perceived worth comes more from how highly it is esteemed by others rather than any inherent quality. Mencken appears to be criticizing the tendency to elevate money above its actual merit and utility.

Birthday: September 12, 1880 – Death: January 29, 1956

H.L. Mencken: Comparative Wealth

Funny Money Quotes: Perception of riches is sometimes determined by the bank balance of those we are forced to compare ourselves with. H.L. Mencken said:
 

 

“Wealth – any income that is at least one hundred dollars more a year than the income of one’s wife’s sister’s husband” — H.L. Mencken

This humorous quote by H.L. Mencken offers a tongue-in-cheek definition of wealth. It suggests that a person considers themselves wealthy if they earn just $100 more per year than their wife’s sister’s husband.

The quote implies that perceptions of financial prosperity are often relative – what seems like wealth depends on comparing one’s income to similar others nearby. Mencken appears to be satirizing how subjectively and arbitrarily people define financial success or wealth based on their immediate social circles and environments.

Overall, the quote lightheartedly underscores that wealth is in the eye of the beholder to some extent.

Birthday: September 12, 1880 – Death: January 29, 1956