PICKANINNY, n. The young of the "Procyanthropos", or "Americanus dominans". It is small, black and charged with political fatalities. — Ambrose Bierce Copy Share Image
Politics: A strife of interests masquerading as a contest of principles. The conduct of public affairs for private advantage. — Ambrose Bierce Copy Share Image
Boundary, n. In political geography, an imaginary line between two nations, separating the imaginary rights of one from the imaginary rights of… — Ambrose Bierce Copy Share Image
NOMINATE, v. To designate for the heaviest political assessment. To put forward a suitable person to incur the mudgobbling and deadcatting of… — Ambrose Bierce Copy Share Image
PANDEMONIUM, n. Literally, the Place of All the Demons. Most of them have escaped into politics and finance, and the place is… — Ambrose Bierce Copy Share Image
“Revolution - In politics, an abrupt change in the form of misgovernment.” — Ambrose Bierce Copy Share Image
DULLARD, n. A member of the reigning dynasty in letters and life. The Dullards came in with Adam, and being both numerous… — Ambrose Bierce Copy Share Image
INFLUENCE, n. In politics, a visionary _quo_ given in exchange for a substantial _quid_. — Ambrose Bierce Copy Share Image
In our civilization, and under our republican form of government, intelligence is so highly honored that it is rewarded by exemption from… — Ambrose Bierce Copy Share Image
ADMINISTRATION, n. An ingenious abstraction in politics, designed to receive the kicks and cuffs due to the premier or president. A man… — Ambrose Bierce Copy Share Image
DELEGATION, n. In American politics, an article of merchandise that comes in sets. — Ambrose Bierce Copy Share Image
ARENA, n. In politics, an imaginary rat-pit in which the statesman wrestles with his record. — Ambrose Bierce Copy Share Image
PRESIDENCY, n. The greased pig in the field game of American politics. — Ambrose Bierce Copy Share Image
MUGWUMP, n. In politics one afflicted with self-respect and addicted to the vice of independence. A term of contempt. — Ambrose Bierce Copy Share Image
Alliance - in international politics, the union of two thieves who have their hands so deeply inserted in each other's pockets that… — Ambrose Bierce Copy Share Image
CONSUL, n. In American politics, a person who having failed to secure and office from the people is given one by the… — Ambrose Bierce Copy Share Image
EXECUTIVE, n. An officer of the Government, whose duty it is to enforce the wishes of the legislative power until such time… — Ambrose Bierce Copy Share Image
Battle, n., A method of untying with the teeth a political knot that would not yield to the tongue. — Ambrose Bierce Copy Share Image
A revolution, in politics, is an abrupt change in the form of misgovernment. The substitution of the rule of an administration for… — Ambrose Bierce Copy Share Image
WASHINGTONIAN, n. A Potomac tribesman who exchanged the privilege of governing himself for the advantage of good government. In justice to him… — Ambrose Bierce Copy Share Image
INSURRECTION, n. An unsuccessful revolution. Disaffection's failure to substitute misrule for bad government. — Ambrose Bierce Copy Share Image
“Politics, n. Strife of interests masquerading as a contest of principles.” — Ambrose Bierce Copy Share Image
BRAIN, n. An apparatus with which we think that we think. That which distinguishes the man who is content to be something… — Ambrose Bierce Copy Share Image
SORCERY, n. The ancient prototype and forerunner of political influence. It was, however, deemed less respectable and sometimes was punished by torture… — Ambrose Bierce Copy Share Image
WAR, n. A by-product of the arts of peace. The most menacing political condition is a period of international amity. — Ambrose Bierce Copy Share Image
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… — Ambrose Bierce Copy Share Image
DECIDE, v.i. To succumb to the preponderance of one set of influences over another set. — Ambrose Bierce Copy Share Image
IMMORAL, adj. Inexpedient. Whatever in the long run and with regard to the greater number of instances men find to be generally inexpedient comes… — Ambrose Bierce Copy Share Image
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… — Ambrose Bierce Copy Share Image
CLOCK, n. A machine of great moral value to man, allaying his concern for the future by reminding him what a lot of time… — Ambrose Bierce Copy Share Image
RUBBISH, n. Worthless matter, such as the religions, philosophies, literatures, arts and sciences of the tribes infesting the regions lying due south from Boreaplas. — Ambrose Bierce Copy Share Image
There was never a genius who was not thought a fool until he disclosed himself; whereas he is a fool then only. — Ambrose Bierce Copy Share Image
Telephone, n. An invention of the devil which abrogates some of the advantages of making a disagreeable person keep his distance. — Ambrose Bierce Copy Share Image
WHANGDEPOOTENAWAH, n. In the Ojibwa tongue, disaster; an unexpected affliction that strikes hard. — Ambrose Bierce Copy Share Image
Jealous, adj. Unduly concerned about the preservation of that which can be lost only if not worth keeping. — Ambrose Bierce Copy Share Image
RIDICULE, n. Words designed to show that the person of whom they are uttered is devoid of the dignity of character distinguishing him who… — Ambrose Bierce Copy Share Image
