--- title: "9 Degrees Quotes By Ambrose Bierce" description: "9 Degrees quotes by Ambrose Bierce. Plus more from Ambrose Bierce and more Degrees sayings from other authors." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1a1/ambrose-bierce-140_conformity_the-only-distinction-that-democracies-re_2838447.jpg" --- > [The only distinction that democracies reward is a high degree of conformity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/the-only-distinction-that-democracies-reward-is-a-high-degree-of/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) [Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1a1/ambrose-bierce-140_conformity_the-only-distinction-that-democracies-re_2838447.jpg) > [REPENTANCE, n. The faithful attendant and follower of Punishment. It is usually manifest in a degree of reformation that is not inconsistent…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/repentance-n-the-faithful-attendant-and-follower-of-punishment-it-is/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) [Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/940/ambrose-bierce-140_continuity_repentance-n-the-faithful-attendant-and_1796202.jpg) > [WRATH, n. Anger of a superior quality and degree, appropriate to exalted characters and momentous occasions; as, "the wrath of God," "the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/wrath-n-anger-of-a-superior-quality-and-degree-appropriate-to-exalted/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) [Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/94b/ambrose-bierce-140_appropriate_wrath-n-anger-of-a-superior-quality-and_257670.jpg) > [ACQUAINTANCE, n. A person whom we know well enough to borrow from, but not well enough to lend to. A degree of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/acquaintance-n-a-person-whom-we-know-well-enough-to-borrow-from-but-2/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) [Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c66/ambrose-bierce-140_acquaintance_acquaintance-n-a-person-whom-we-know-wel_153491.jpg) > [The natural equipment to accomplish some small part of the meaner ambitions distinguishing able men from dead ones. In the last analysis…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/the-natural-equipment-to-accomplish-some-small-part-of-the-meaner/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) [Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c4f/ambrose-bierce-140_ability_the-natural-equipment-to-accomplish-some_2329417.jpg) > [renown, n. A degree of distinction between notoriety and fame - a little more supportable than the one and a little more…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/renown-n-a-degree-of-distinction-between-notoriety-and-fame-a-little/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) [Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/377/ambrose-bierce-140_degrees_renown-n-a-degree-of-distinction-between_1732356.jpg) > [MISCREANT, n. A person of the highest degree of unworth. Etymologically, the word means unbeliever, and its present signification may be regarded…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/miscreant-n-a-person-of-the-highest-degree-of-unworth-etymologically/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) [Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b01/ambrose-bierce-140_contribution_miscreant-n-a-person-of-the-highest-degr_906639.jpg) > [GOOSE, n. A bird that supplies quills for writing. These, by some occult process of nature, are penetrated and suffused with various…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/goose-n-a-bird-that-supplies-quills-for-writing-these-by-some-occult/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) [Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2c6/ambrose-bierce-140_accurate_goose-n-a-bird-that-supplies-quills-for_516115.jpg) > [Mad; adj. Affected with a high degree of intellectual independence; not conforming to standards of thought, speech, and action derived by the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/mad-adj-affected-with-a-high-degree-of-intellectual-independence-not/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) [Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0df/ambrose-bierce-140_action_mad-adj-affected-with-a-high-degree-of-i_3023692.jpg) ## Other authors on Degrees ## More by Ambrose Bierce > [OBSESSED, p.p. Vexed by an evil spirit, like the Gadarene swine and other critics. Obsession was once more common than it is now. Arasthus…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/obsessed-p-p-vexed-by-an-evil-spirit-like-the-gadarene-swine-and/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [DECIDE, v.i. To succumb to the preponderance of one set of influences over another set.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/decide-v-i-to-succumb-to-the-preponderance-of-one-set-of-influences/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [IMMORAL, adj. Inexpedient. Whatever in the long run and with regard to the greater number of instances men find to be generally inexpedient comes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/immoral-adj-inexpedient-whatever-in-the-long-run-and-with-regard-to/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [REVIEW, v.t. To set your wisdom (holding not a doubt of it./ Although in truth there's neither bone nor skin to it)/ At work…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/review-v-t-to-set-your-wisdom-holding-not-a-doubt-of-it-although-in/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [CLOCK, n. A machine of great moral value to man, allaying his concern for the future by reminding him what a lot of time…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/clock-n-a-machine-of-great-moral-value-to-man-allaying-his-concern/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [RUBBISH, n. Worthless matter, such as the religions, philosophies, literatures, arts and sciences of the tribes infesting the regions lying due south from Boreaplas.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/rubbish-n-worthless-matter-such-as-the-religions-philosophies/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [There was never a genius who was not thought a fool until he disclosed himself; whereas he is a fool then only.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/there-was-never-a-genius-who-was-not-thought-a-fool-until-he/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [Telephone, n. An invention of the devil which abrogates some of the advantages of making a disagreeable person keep his distance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/telephone-n-an-invention-of-the-devil-which-abrogates-some-of-the/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [WHANGDEPOOTENAWAH, n. In the Ojibwa tongue, disaster; an unexpected affliction that strikes hard.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/whangdepootenawah-n-in-the-ojibwa-tongue-disaster-an-unexpected/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [Jealous, adj. Unduly concerned about the preservation of that which can be lost only if not worth keeping.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/jealous-adj-unduly-concerned-about-the-preservation-of-that-which-can/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [RIDICULE, n. Words designed to show that the person of whom they are uttered is devoid of the dignity of character distinguishing him who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/ridicule-n-words-designed-to-show-that-the-person-of-whom-they-are/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [Think twice before you speak to a friend in need](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/think-twice-before-you-speak-to-a-friend-in-need/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [HERMIT, n. A person whose vices and follies are not sociable.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/hermit-n-a-person-whose-vices-and-follies-are-not-sociable/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [TARIFF, n. A scale of taxes on imports, designed to protect the domestic producer against the greed of his consumer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/tariff-n-a-scale-of-taxes-on-imports-designed-to-protect-the-domestic/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [A bad marriage is like an electrical thrilling machine: it makes you dance, but you can't let go.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/a-bad-marriage-is-like-an-electrical-thrilling-machine-it-makes-you/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "ItemList", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/degrees/ambrose-bierce/#itemlist", "name": "9 Degrees Quotes By Ambrose Bierce", "numberOfItems": 9, "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "item": { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "The only distinction that democracies reward is a high degree of conformity.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Ambrose Bierce" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/the-only-distinction-that-democracies-reward-is-a-high-degree-of/", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1a1/ambrose-bierce-140_conformity_the-only-distinction-that-democracies-re_2838447.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1a1/ambrose-bierce-140_conformity_the-only-distinction-that-democracies-re_2838447.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1a1/ambrose-bierce-140_conformity_the-only-distinction-that-democracies-re_2838447.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“The only distinction that democracies reward is a high degree of conformity.” — Ambrose Bierce", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } } }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "item": { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "REPENTANCE, n. 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A degree of distinction between notoriety and fame - a little more supportable than the one and a little more intolerable than the other. Sometimes it is conferred by an unfriendly and inconsiderate hand.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Ambrose Bierce" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/renown-n-a-degree-of-distinction-between-notoriety-and-fame-a-little/", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/377/ambrose-bierce-140_degrees_renown-n-a-degree-of-distinction-between_1732356.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/377/ambrose-bierce-140_degrees_renown-n-a-degree-of-distinction-between_1732356.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/377/ambrose-bierce-140_degrees_renown-n-a-degree-of-distinction-between_1732356.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“renown, n. 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