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
repose, v.i. To cease from troubling.
Work: a dangerous disorder affecting high public functionaries who want to go fishing.
Quotation, n: The act of repeating erroneously the words of another.
IMAGINATION, n. A warehouse of facts, with poet and liar in joint ownership.
Prescription: A physician's guess at what will best prolong the situation with least harm to the patient.
KISS, n. A word invented by the poets as a rhyme for "bliss." It is supposed to signify, in a general way, some kind of rite or ceremony appertaining to a good understanding; but the manner of its performance is unknown to this lexicographer.
VITUPERATION, n. Saite, as understood by dunces and all such as suffer from an impediment in their wit.
DELUGE, n. A notable first experiment in baptism which washed away the sins (and sinners) of the world.
ZIGZAG, v.t. To move forward uncertainly, from side to side, as one carrying the white man's burden.
Women and foxes, being weak, are distinguished by superior tact.
NOMINATE, v. To designate for the heaviest political assessment. To put forward a suitable person to incur the mudgobbling and deadcatting of the opposition.
CRAYFISH, n. A small crustacean very much resembling the lobster, but less indigestible.
Potable, n. Suitable for drinking. Water is said to be potable; indeed, some declare it our natural beverage, although even they find it palatable only when suffering from the recurrent disorder known as thirst, for which it is a medicine.
Hypocrisy: prejudice with a halo.