There is something even more valuable to civilization than wisdom, and that is character.
Interpretation
Character is more important for society than wisdom alone.
In this quote, H. L. Mencken emphasizes the essence of character as a fundamental quality that drives the fabric of civilization. While wisdom is highly regarded, it is character—the morality, integrity, and ethical principles of individuals—that ultimately shapes a just and thriving society.
In practice
In a speech about leadership qualities during a conference.
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.
At this age, I should be leading a quiet life.
Be watchful - the grace of God appears suddenly. It comes without warning to an open heart.
Don't get bitter and twisted and nasty by life. You may have been wronged or cheated on; two wrongs never make a right. Instead learn your mistakes and learn your lessons. Remain strong with your head held high.
A day of worry is more exhausting than a week of work. Worry upsets our whole system; work keeps it in health and order.
Mankind's greatest error, the biggest deception of the past thousand years is this: to confuse poverty with stupidity.
Lately I was near the beehives and some of the bees flew onto my face. I wanted to raise my hand, and brush them off. 'No,' said a peasant to me, 'do not be afraid, and do not touch them. They will not sting you at all, if you touch them they will bite you.' I trusted him; not one bit me. Trust me; do not fear these temptations. Do not touch them; they will not hurt you.
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