Skip to content

The average newspaper, especially of the better sort, has…

“The average newspaper, especially of the better sort, has the intelligence of a hillbilly evangelist, the courage of a rat, the fairness of a prohibitionist boob-jumper, the information of a high-school janitor, the taste of a designer of celluloid.” quote by Henry Louis Mencken
Download Open image
“The average newspaper, especially of the better sort, has the intelligence of a hillbilly evangelist, the courage of a rat, the fairness of a prohibitionist boob-jumper, the information of a high-school janitor, the taste of a designer of celluloid.”

Henry Louis Mencken

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

He mocks newspapers for lacking intelligence, courage, fairness, information, and taste, comparing them to low‑brow stereotypes.

In simple terms: Newspapers are shallow and biased.

Key Takeaway

Critically evaluate media sources.

Themes

media criticism bias intelligence quality culture

Mood

skeptical ironic provocative

Type

analytical educational

When to use this quote

  • news consumption
  • media literacy
  • public discourse
  • education

Key Concepts

journalism satire social commentary

Questions to Reflect On

  • How can readers discern quality journalism?
  • What responsibilities do newspapers have to society?
A Different Perspective

The satire may overlook serious journalism that defies these stereotypes.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet

More by Henry Louis Mencken

Explore all 41 Henry Louis Mencken quotes

More Intelligence quotes

Browse all 9,546 Intelligence quotes