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
Women and foxes, being weak, are distinguished by superior tact.
WIDOW, n. A pathetic figure that the Christian world has agreed to take humorously, although Christ's tenderness towards widows was one of the most marked features of his character.
YANKEE, n. In Europe, an American. In the Northern States of our Union, a New Englander. In the Southern States the word is unknown.
picture, n. A representation in two dimensions of something wearisome in three.
art, n. This word has no definition.
applause, n. The echo of a platitude.
hybrid, n. A pooled issue.
critic, n. A person who boasts himself hard to please because nobody tries to please him.
aim, n. The task we set our wishes to.
pleasure, n. The least hateful form of dejection.
mine, adj. Belonging to me if I can hold or seize it.
actually, adv. Perhaps; possibly.
The creator and arbiter of beauty is the heart; to the male rattlesnake the female rattlesnake is the loveliest thing in nature.
A cheap and easy cynicism rails at everything. The master of the art accomplishes the formidable task of discrimination.