H.L. Mencken, writer, editor, and critic (1880-1956)

Moral certainty is always a sign of cultural inferiority. The more uncivilized the man, the surer he is that he knows precisely what is right and what is wrong. All human progress, even in morals, has been the work of men who have doubted the current moral values, not of men who have whooped them up and tried to enforce them. The truly civilized man is always skeptical and tolerant, in this field as in all others. His culture is based on "I am not too sure." -H.L. Mencken, writer, editor, and critic (1880-1956)

Very ironic that Mencken is so “morally certain” about this opinion. Personally I am skeptical whenever someone uses the word “always.”

Pablo Picasso, painter, and sculptor (1881-1973)

Art is the elimination of the unnecessary. -Pablo Picasso, painter, and sculptor (1881-1973)

Clearly, a minimalist’s view, not an eternal verity, although I suppose it depends on what one considers necessary. I imagine an artist of the Baroque period considered his flourishes necessary!

Josh Billings, columnist and humorist (1818-1885)

Ambition is like hunger; it obeys no law but its appetite. -Josh Billings, columnist and humorist (1818-1885)

But like hunger it can be controlled. Hunger doesn’t have to be gluttony and ambition doesn’t have to be sinful pride. Temperance and humility can be cultivated.

James M. Barrie, novelist, short-story writer, playwright (1860-1937)

We should be slower to think that the man at his worst is the real man, and certain that the better we are ourselves the less likely is he to be at his worst in our company. Every time he talks away his own character before us he is signifying contempt for ours. -James M. Barrie, novelist, short-story writer, and playwright (1860-1937)

Not a very pithy statement, but very worth pondering, and taking to heart.

Alice Roosevelt Longworth,

"I have a simple philosophy: Fill what's empty. Empty what's full. Scratch where it itches." -- Alice Roosevelt Longworth

Can a position so mindless be called a philosophy?  It seems to rule out judgment altogether.