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PRIMATE, n. The head of a church, especially a State…

“PRIMATE, n. The head of a church, especially a State church supported by involuntary contributions. The Primate of England is the Archbishop of Canterbury, an amiable old gentleman, who occupies Lambeth Palace when living and Westminster Abbey when dead. He is commonly dead.” quote by Ambrose Bierce
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“PRIMATE, n. The head of a church, especially a State church supported by involuntary contributions. The Primate of England is the Archbishop of Canterbury, an amiable old gentleman, who occupies Lambeth Palace when living and Westminster Abbey when dead. He is commonly dead.”

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.

A Primate is humorously defined as a church leader who is effectively dead, critiquing institutional stagnation.

In simple terms: Satirical definition of church leader.

Key Takeaway

Question authority.

Themes

religion satire authority

Mood

witty critical

Type

satirical historical

When to use this quote

  • church meetings
  • political commentary
  • historical analysis

Key Concepts

institutional critique humor

Questions to Reflect On

  • What does this say about religious power?
  • Is humor effective for critique?
A Different Perspective

Satire may oversimplify complex institutions.

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