OSTRICH, n. A large bird to which (for its sins, doubtless) nature has denied that hinder toe . . . . The… — Ambrose Bierce Copy Share Image
POCKET, n. The cradle of motive and the grave of conscience. In woman this organ is lacking; so she acts without motive,… — Ambrose Bierce Copy Share Image
REDEMPTION, n. Deliverance of sinners from the penalty of their sin, through their murder of the deity against whom they sinned .… — Ambrose Bierce Copy Share Image
A man who piously shuts himself up to meditate upon the sin of wickedness and to keep it fresh in his mind… — Ambrose Bierce Copy Share Image
Christian - One who follows the teachings of Christ insofar as they are not inconsistent with a life of sin. — Ambrose Bierce Copy Share Image
IDLENESS, n. A model farm where the devil experiments with seeds of new sins and promotes the growth of staple vices. — Ambrose Bierce Copy Share Image
DELUGE, n. A notable first experiment in baptism which washed away the sins (and sinners) of the world. — Ambrose Bierce Copy Share Image
Convent - a place of retirement for women who wish for leisure to meditate upon the sin of idleness. — Ambrose Bierce Copy Share Image
Childhood: the period of human life intermediate between the idiocy of infancy and the folly of youth - two removes from the… — Ambrose Bierce Copy Share Image
REPENTANCE, n. The faithful attendant and follower of Punishment. It is usually manifest in a degree of reformation that is not inconsistent… — Ambrose Bierce Copy Share Image
WALL STREET, n. A symbol for sin for every devil to rebuke. That Wall Street is a den of thieves is a… — Ambrose Bierce Copy Share Image
DAY, n. A period of twenty-four hours, mostly misspent. This period is divided into two parts, the day proper and the night,… — Ambrose Bierce Copy Share Image
IMPENITENCE, n. A state of mind intermediate in point of time between sin and punishment. — 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
