If I had my way, any man guilty of golf would be ineligible for any office of trust in the United States.
Interpretation
The quote humorously suggests that playing golf is a disqualifying trait for holding a position of trust.
H. L. Mencken's quote reflects a satirical view on golf and its players, implying that engaging in the sport indicates a lack of seriousness or integrity. This statement can be seen as a humorous critique of both the game of golf and the people who are involved in it, suggesting that those found guilty of playing it should not be entrusted with public responsibilities.
In practice
In a casual conversation about sports, you could use this quote to spark a debate on the moral integrity of athletes.
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.
When I'm funny is when I'm angriest.
Now, I don’t want any of you youngsters to worry — you’ll still have your Potions master when I’m through with him, never fear!” “Wouldn’t it be good if they finished each other off?” Ron muttered in Harry’s ear.
A sense of humor is good for you. Have you ever heard of a laughing hyena with heart burn?
I never joined the Boy Scouts. I don't trust any organization that has a handbook.
People who laugh together generally don't kill each other.
Anybody can be Pope; the proof of this is that I have become one.
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