Alimony Quote by H. L. Mencken
“Alimony - the ransom that the happy pay to the devil.”
About This Quote
Alimony is framed as a punitive payment, implying that supporting a former spouse is a burdensome, almost malevolent obligation.
In simple terms: Divorce settlements as a burden
Key Takeaway
Alimony likened to a ransom
Themes
gender dynamics
financial burden
marriage dissolution
power imbalance
Mood
cynical
skeptical
Type
aphor
satire
When to use this quote
- post-divorce financial planning
- family law negotiations
Key Concepts
legal obligations
economic exploitation
Practical Applications
- advocacy for reform
- financial counseling
Questions to Reflect On
- How does this perception affect negotiations?
- What alternatives could balance fairness and autonomy?
A Different Perspective
Some view alimony as essential for equitable post‑marriage support, not a penalty.
![“By profession a biologist, [Thomas Henry Huxley] covered in fact the whole field of the exact sciences, and then bulged through its four fences. Absolutely nothing was uninteresting to him. His curiosity ranged from music to theology and from philosophy to history. He didn't simply know something…” quote by H. L. Mencken](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/f46/h-l-mencken-245_absolutely-nothing_by-profession-a-biologist-thomas-henry-h_5368.jpg)
