"The average man gets his living by..." - Quote by H L Mencken
The average man gets his living by such depressing devices that boredom becomes a sort of natural state to him.
More by H L Mencken
“I believe in the complete freedom of thought and speech - alike for the humblest man and the mightiest, and in the utmost freedom of conduct that is consistent with living in organizedsociety.”
“I do not believe in democracy, but I am perfectly willing to admit that it provides the only really amusing form of government ever endured by mankind.”
“Capitalism under democracy has a further advantage: its enemies, even when it is attacked, are scattered and weak, and it is usually easily able to array one half of them against the other half, and thus dispose of both.”
More on Boredom
“How can the planet keep turning and turning and not get so bored it explodes?”
“Lady Middleton ... exerted herself to ask Mr. Palmer if there was any news in the paper. 'No, none at all,' he replied, and read on.”
“Hence, in all countries the chief occupation of society is card-playing, and it is the gauge of its value, and an outward sign that it is bankrupt in thought. Because people have no thoughts to deal in, they deal cards, and try and win one another’s money. Idiots!”
More on Work
“I don't think I ever owned twenty pencils at one time. Wearing down seven number-two pencils is a good day's work.”
“If you find a job you love, you'll never work again.”
“The woman and the genius do not work. Up to now, woman has been mankind's supreme luxury. In all those moments when we do our best, we do not work. Work is merely a means to these moments.”