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NOSE, n. The extreme outpost of the face. From the…

“NOSE, n. The extreme outpost of the face. From the circumstance that great conquerors have great noses, Getius, whose writings antedate the age of humor, calls the nose the organ of quell. It has been observed that one's nose is never so happy as when thrust into the affairs of others, from which…” quote by Ambrose Bierce
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“NOSE, n. The extreme outpost of the face. From the circumstance that great conquerors have great noses, Getius, whose writings antedate the age of humor, calls the nose the organ of quell. It has been observed that one's nose is never so happy as when thrust into the affairs of others, from which some physiologists have drawn the inference that the nose is devoid of the sense of smell. There's a man with a Nose, And wherever he goes The people run from him and shout: No cotton have we For our ears if so be He blow that interminous snout! So the lawyers applied For injunction. Denied, Said the Judge: the defendant prefixion, Whate'er it portend, Appears to transcend The bounds of this court's jurisdiction. --Arpad Singiny.”

Ambrose Bierce

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

The quote humorously portrays the nose as a symbol of meddling and social rejection, suggesting that those who intrude become unwelcome.

In simple terms: Nose as a metaphor for nosiness and being shunned.

Key Takeaway

Avoid unnecessary interference.

Themes

humor social critique language satire

Mood

witty critical ironic

Type

satirical observational.

When to use this quote

  • political debates
  • office gossip
  • family gatherings
  • public speaking
  • online forums

Key Concepts

symbolism metaphor social dynamics

Questions to Reflect On

  • Do you notice when you become a “nose” in conversations?
  • How can you respect boundaries while staying informed?
A Different Perspective

Humor may downplay genuine feelings of exclusion.

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