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
Fork: An instrument used chiefly for the purpose of putting dead animals into the mouth.
The gambling known as business looks with austere disfavor upon the business known as gambling.
DISOBEDIENCE, n. The silver lining to the cloud of servitude.
Consult: To seek approval for a course of action already decided upon.
Calamities are of two kinds: misfortunes to ourselves, and good fortune to others.
PATRIOT, n. One to whom the interests of a part seem superior to those of the whole. The dupe of statesmen and the tool of conquerors.
PROPERTY, n. Any material thing, having no particular value, that may be held by A against the cupidity of B. Whatever gratifies the passion for possession in one and disappoints it in all others. The object of man's brief rapacity and long indifference.
While your friend holds you affectionately by both your hands, you are safe, for you can watch both his.
CARNIVOROUS, adj. Addicted to the cruelty of devouring the timorous vegetarian, his heirs and assigns.
EVANGELIST, n. A bearer of good tidings, particularly (in a religious sense) such as assure us of our own salvation and the damnation of our neighbors.
EXTINCTION, n. The raw material out of which theology created the future state.
Corporation: An ingenious device for obtaining profit without individual responsibility.
diplomacy, n.: The patriotic art of lying for one's country.
Patience, n. A minor form of dispair, disguised as a virtue.