Ambrose Bierce
Ambrose Bierce
Ambrose Gwinnett Biercewas an American editorialist, journalist, short story writer, fabulist, and satirist. He wrote the short story "An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge" and compiled a satirical lexicon, The Devil's Dictionary. His vehemence as a critic, his motto "Nothing matters", and the sardonic view of human nature that informed his work, all earned him the nickname "Bitter Bierce"...
NationalityAmerican
ProfessionNovelist
Date of Birth24 June 1842
CityMeighs County, OH
CountryUnited States of America
Ambrose Bierce quotes about
Immoral" is the judgment of the stalled ox on the gamboling lamb.
Convictions are variable; to be always consistent is to be sometimes dishonest.
repose, v.i. To cease from troubling.
The bold and discerning writer who, recognizing the truth that language must grow by innovation if it grow at all, makes new words and uses the old in an unfamiliar sense has no following and is tartly reminded that 'it isn't in the dictionary' - although down to the time of the first lexicographer no author ever had used a word that was in the dictionary.
OVATION, n. n ancient Rome, a definite, formal pageant in honor of one who had been disserviceable to the enemies of the nation. A lesser "triumph."
PORTUGUESE, n.pl. A species of geese indigenous to Portugal. They are mostly without feathers and imperfectly edible, even when stuffed with garlic.
Politics: A strife of interests masquerading as a contest of principles. The conduct of public affairs for private advantage.
Bore, n. A person who talks when you wish him to listen.
Logic: The art of thinking and reasoning in strict accordance with the limitations and incapacities of the human misunderstanding.
April fool, n. The March fool with another month added to his folly.
Coward: One who, in a perilous emergency, thinks with his legs.
Work: a dangerous disorder affecting high public functionaries who want to go fishing.
An ingenious compound of desirability and appearance. Discovery of truth is the sole purpose of philosophy, which is the most ancient occupation of the human mind and has a fair prospect of existing with increasing activity to the end of time.
Quotation, n: The act of repeating erroneously the words of another.