"Honor is simply the morality of superior men"

H. L. Mencken's assertion that "Honor is simply the morality of superior men" is a provocative commentary on the nature of ethical standards and social hierarchy. Mencken, known for his skepticism of conventional morality and sharp wit, implies that honor is not an absolute or universal value. Instead, it is a moral code embraced predominantly by those who identify—or are identified—as "superior" within a social order. In using the word "morality", he alludes to the system of right and wrong, while "superior men" evokes those who possess power, intellect, status, or influence above the ordinary.

The phrase suggests that what society commonly venerates as "honor" is really a special code developed by, and for, individuals in elite positions. For these men, honor serves both as a social marker distinguishing them from others and as an internalized standard by which they justify their actions. Rather than seeing honor as an inherent, universally accessible virtue, Mencken views it as exclusive—a tool for the privileged to define themselves. This exclusivity reinforces social stratification, with the possessors of honor regarding their own morality as more nuanced or consequential compared to that of the masses.

His observation can be read both as a critique and a satire of social power. It hints at the arbitrariness and subjectivity of moral codes. If honor is simply the morality of "superior men", then perhaps alternative moralities exist for those not considered "superior", underlining the fluidity of ethics across classes or cultures. The statement questions the authenticity and universality of purported virtues, prodding the reader to reflect on who sets standards for honor and whose interests those standards ultimately serve. In Mencken's typically sardonic style, the elevation of "superior men" exposes the pretensions and constructed nature of social and moral hierarchies.