Quotes by George Bernard Shaw

People are always blaming their circumstances for what they are. I don't believe in circumstances. The people who get on in this world are the people who get up and look for the circumstances they want, and, if they can't find them, make them.
"Mrs. Warren's Profession" (1893) act II

There are no secrets better kept than the secrets that everybody guesses.
"Mrs. Warren's Profession" (1893), act III

Women upset everything. When you let them into your life, you find that the woman is driving at one thing and you're driving at another.
"Pygmalion" ,1913

One man that has a mind and knows it can always beat ten men who haven't and don't.
"The Apple Cart" (1930), act I

The worst sin toward our fellow creatures is not to hate them, but to be indifferent to them: that's the essence of inhumanity.
"The Devil's Disciple" (1901), act II

We don't bother much about dress and manners in England, because as a nation we don't dress well and we've no manners.
"You Never Can Tell" (1898), act I

"Do you know what a pessimist is?" "A man who thinks everybody is as nasty as himself, and hates them for it."
An Unsocial Socialist (1887) ch. 5

All great truths begin as blasphemies.
Annajanska (1919)

Silence is the most perfect expression of scorn.
Back to Methuselah (1921) pt. 5

When a stupid man is doing something he is ashamed of, he always declares that it is his duty.
Caesar and Cleopatra (1901)

He who has never hoped can never despair.
Caesar and Cleopatra (1901) act 4

Do you think that the things people make fools of themselves about are any less real and true than the things they behave sensibly about? They are more true: they are the only things that are true.
Candida (1898) act 1

We have no more right to consume happiness without producing it than to consume wealth without producing it.
Candida (1898) act 1

Parentage is a very important profession, but no test of fitness for it is ever imposed in the interest of the children.
Everybody's Political What's What? (1944) ch. 9

A government that robs Peter to pay Paul can always depend on the support of Paul.
Everybody's Political What's What? (1944) ch. 30

My way of joking is to tell the truth. It is the funniest joke in the world.
John Bull's Other Island (1907) act 2

Alcohol is a very necessary article... It makes life bearable to millions of people who could not endure their existence if they were quite sober. It enables Parliament to do things at eleven at night that no sane person would do at eleven in the morning.
Major Barbara (1907) act 2

I am a Millionaire. That is my religion.
Major Barbara (1907) act 2

He knows nothing; and he thinks he knows everything. That points clearly to a political career.
Major Barbara (1907) act 3

Beware of the man whose God is in the skies.
Man and Superman (1903) "Maxims for Revolutionists"