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Quotes by Ambrose Bierce

Ambrose Bierce

Ambrose Bierce is best known for “the Devil’s dictionary”. This is one of his best satirical works including “an occurrence at owl Creek Bridge”. He was nicknamed “bitter Bierce” owing to his excessive critical approach while writing. His writing style is unique as he makes use of various dark imageries and an abrupt opening stanza wherein he makes ... Ambrose Bierce biography

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ABATIS, n. Rubbish in front of a fort, to prevent the rubbish outside from molesting the rubbish inside. (Ambrose Bierce)

Related concepts: fort abatis front rubbish rubbish

ABDICATION, n. An act whereby a sovereign attests his sense of the high temperature of the throne. Poor Isabellas Dead, whose abdication Set all tongues wagging in the Spanish nation. For that performance twere unfair to scold her: She wisely left a throne too hot to hold her. To History shell be no royal riddle -- Merely a plain parched pea that jumped the griddle. G.J. (Ambrose Bierce)

Related concepts: temperature whereby abdication sense sovereign

ABDOMEN, n. The temple of the god Stomach, in whose worship, with sacrificial rights, all true men engage. From women this ancient faith commands but a stammering assent. They sometimes minister at the altar in a half-hearted and ineffective way, but true reverence for the one deity that men really adore they know not. If woman had a free hand in the worlds marketing the race would become graminivorous. (Ambrose Bierce)

Related concepts: temple sacrificial abdomen whose stomach

ABILITY, n. The natural equipment to accomplish some small part of the meaner ambitions distinguishing able men from dead ones. In the last analysis ability is commonly found to consist mainly in a high degree of solemnity. Perhaps, however, this impressive quality is rightly appraised; it is no easy task to be solemn. (Ambrose Bierce)

Related concepts: equipment small accomplish meaner ability

ABNORMAL, adj. Not conforming to standard. In matters of thought and conduct, to be independent is to be abnormal, to be abnormal is to be detested. Wherefore the lexicographer adviseth a striving toward the straiter [sic] resemblance of the Average Man than he hath to himself. Whoso attaineth thereto shall have peace, the prospect of death and the hope of Hell. (Ambrose Bierce)

Related concepts: conforming conduct matters abnormal standard

ABRIDGE, v.t. To shorten. When in the course of human events it becomes necessary for people to abridge their king, a decent respect for the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation. --Oliver Cromwell. (Ambrose Bierce)

Related concepts: becomes abridge human events shorten

ACCORD, n. Harmony. (Ambrose Bierce)

Related concepts: accord

ACEPHALOUS, adj. In the surprising condition of the Crusader who absently pulled at his forelock some hours after a Saracen scimitar had, unconsciously to him, passed through his neck, as related by de Joinville. (Ambrose Bierce)

Related concepts: condition crusader acephalous surprising pulled

Acquaintance, n. A person whom we know well enough to borrow from, but not well enough to lend to. (Ambrose Bierce)

Related concepts: enough person from enough borrow

Acquaintance, n.: A person whom we know well enough to borrow from, but not well enough to lend to. (Ambrose Bierce)

Related concepts: from enough person borrow acquaintance

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