Ambrose Gwinett Bierce
Ambrose Gwinett 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"...
afflict greater irregular less name phrase reference sorts verses word worse written
OCCASIONAL, adj. Afflicting us with greater or less frequency. That, however, is not the sense in which the word is used in the phrase "occasional verses," which are verses written for an "occasion," such as an anniversary, a celebration or other event. True, they afflict us a little worse than other sorts of verse, but their name has no reference to irregular recurrence.
advantage greater honor renounce
RESIGN, v.t. To renounce an honor for an advantage. To renounce an advantage for a greater advantage.
embracing enterprise formed greater opportunity
FELON, n. A person of greater enterprise than discretion, who in embracing an opportunity has formed an unfortunate attachment.
american-journalist kinds
There are 4 kinds of homicide; felonious, excusable, justifiable, and praiseworthy.
activity ancient appearance compound discovery existing fair human increasing ingenious mind occupation prospect purpose sole truth
TRUTH, n. 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.
anybody invited late
Better late than before anybody has invited you.
affecting heavy means purchases within
BENEFACTOR, n. One who makes heavy purchases of ingratitude, without, however, materially affecting the price, which is still within the means of all.
peculiar virtue
FIDELITY, n. A virtue peculiar to those who are about to be betrayed.
enables folly recognize wisdom
Experience. The wisdom that enables us to recognize in an undesirable old acquaintance the folly that we have already embraced.
enables folly night path recognize reveals rising wisdom
EXPERIENCE, n. The wisdom that enables us to recognize as an undesirable old acquaintance the folly that we have already embraced.To one who, journeying through night and fog, Is mired neck-deep in an unwholesome bog, Experience, like the rising of the dawn, Reveals the path that he should not have gone. --Joel Frad Bink
behold famous greatly grill turn
FAMOUS, adj. Conspicuously miserable.Done to a turn on the iron, behold Him who to be famous aspired. Content? Well, his grill has a plating of gold, And his twistings are greatly admired. --Hassan Brubuddy
amused asked entrusted fool fools-and-foolishness high orleans pray property security value weight wishing word worth
BONDSMAN, n. A fool who, having property of his own, undertakes to become responsible for that entrusted to another to a third. Philippe of Orleans wishing to appoint one of his favorites, a dissolute nobleman, to a high office, asked him what security he would be able to give. ""I need no bondsmen,"" he replied, ""for I can give you my word of honor."" ""And pray what may be the value of that?"" inquired the amused Regent. ""Monsieur, it is worth its weight in gold.
BOUNTY, n. The liberality of one who has much, in permitting one who has nothing to get all that he can.
created image nose
BOTTLE-NOSED, adj. Having a nose created in the image of its maker.