"Giving every man a vote has no more made men wise and free than Christianity has made them good"

H. L. Mencken’s observation delivers a sharp critique of both democratic institutions and religious ideals through a comparison that’s as biting as it is thought-provoking. By setting the act of giving every man a vote alongside the promise of Christianity to inspire goodness, Mencken questions the effectiveness of both systems in achieving their loftiest aims.

At its core, the statement challenges the assumption that simply offering freedom or rights automatically results in virtue or wisdom. Universal suffrage, the granting of the vote to all, is widely celebrated as a fundamental step toward political freedom and equality. However, Mencken pokes at the idea that merely providing the mechanism, voting, leads to a populace that is inherently wise, rational, or truly free in spirit. The act of voting does not in itself guarantee that voters possess discernment, nor does it ensure the outcomes will embody genuine liberty or enlightened governance.

Juxtaposed with this is Christianity’s promise that embracing its teachings will foster goodness in its adherents. Yet, Mencken implies that attendance at church or acceptance of religious creeds has not universally transformed human behavior for the better. The implication is that external systems, be they democratic or religious, may not be as effective in shaping internal qualities as their proponents hope. Goodness and wisdom, he suggests, are not bestowed simply through formal participation, but depend on deeper personal change, critical thought, and moral development.

The comparison brims with skepticism toward human nature and institutional optimism. Mencken’s words invite readers to consider the limitations of structures designed to elevate collective virtue or intelligence, serving as both a warning against complacent belief in their efficacy and a challenge to strive for substance over mere form in the pursuit of a better society.