--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: [T]here is only one sound argument for…" description: "\"[T]here is only one sound argument for democracy, and that is the argument that it is a crime for any man to hold himself out as better than other men,..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/43b/h-l-mencken-245_argument_t-here-is-only-one-sound-argument-for-de_1268457.png" --- # \[T\]here is only one sound argument for democracy, and that… ![“[T]here is only one sound argument for democracy, and that is the argument that it is a crime for any man to hold himself out as better than other men, and, above all, a most heinous offense for him to prove it.” quote by H. L. Mencken](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/43b/h-l-mencken-245_argument_t-here-is-only-one-sound-argument-for-de_1268457.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/43b/h-l-mencken-245_argument_t-here-is-only-one-sound-argument-for-de_1268457.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/43b/h-l-mencken-245_argument_t-here-is-only-one-sound-argument-for-de_1268457.png) > “\[T\]here is only one sound argument for democracy, and that is the argument that it is a crime for any man to hold himself out as better than other men, and, above all, a most heinous offense for him to prove it.” [H. L. Mencken](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/h-l-mencken/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Democracy is justified only if it prevents any individual from claiming superiority over others, making such claims a serious moral crime. **In simple terms:** Democracy is about equality, and claiming superiority is a grave offense. Key Takeaway Promote humility and equality in civic discourse. Themes equality democracy humility morality politics Mood thoughtful critical inquisitive Type philosophical political ethical When to use this quote - public debate - policy making - educational curricula Key Concepts social contract ethical philosophy political theory Questions to Reflect On - Can true equality exist without recognizing differences? - How do societies balance humility with competence? A Different Perspective The argument may ignore practicalities of leadership and meritocracy. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Argument](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/argument/) [Crime](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/crime/) [Democracy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/democracy/) [Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men/) [Sound](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sound/) ## Related quotes > [The common argument that crime is caused by poverty is a kind of slander on the poor.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/h-l-mencken/the-common-argument-that-crime-is-caused-by-poverty-is-a-kind-of/) [H. L. 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Life proves it every day: He runs the show](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mariska-hargitay/i-think-god-runs-the-show-completely-life-proves-it-every-day-he-runs/) [Mariska Hargitay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mariska-hargitay/) > [The sublime in art is the attempt to express the infinite without finding in the realm of phenomena any object which proves itself fitting…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/georg-wilhelm-friedrich-hegel/the-sublime-in-art-is-the-attempt-to-express-the-infinite-without/) [Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/georg-wilhelm-friedrich-hegel/) ## More by H. L. Mencken > [Alimony - the ransom that the happy pay to the devil.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/h-l-mencken/alimony-the-ransom-that-the-happy-pay-to-the-devil/) [H. L. 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Mencken quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/h-l-mencken/) ## More Argument quotes > [A flourishing, morally credible media is a vital component in the maintenance of genuinely public talk, argument about common good.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rowan-williams/a-flourishing-morally-credible-media-is-a-vital-component-in-the/) [Rowan Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rowan-williams/) > [Preaching to the choir actually arms the choir with arguments and elevates the choir's discourse. 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