Aristocracy Quote by Ambrose Bierce
“ARISTOCRACY, n. Government by the best men. (In this sense the word is obsolete; so is that kind of government.) Fellows that wear downy hats and clean shirts --guilty of education and suspected of bank accounts.”
About This Quote
A satirical definition of aristocracy as rule by an elite, followed by a critique of pretentiousness and corruption among the privileged.
In simple terms: Satire of elite rule
Key Takeaway
Power often hides behind false virtue
Themes
political satire
class critique
corruption
elitism
social hypocrisy
Mood
cynical
ironic
wry
Type
satire
definition
political commentary
When to use this quote
- political commentary
- academic analysis
- social media memes
- historical essays
- public speeches
Key Concepts
aristocracy
elitism
social status
education
wealth
Practical Applications
- critical essays
- satirical cartoons
Questions to Reflect On
- What does "the best men" really mean?
- How does education relate to power?
