Brandy Quote by Ambrose Bierce
“BRANDY, n. A cordial composed of one part thunder-and-lightning, one part remorse, two parts bloody murder, one part death-hell-and-the- grave and four parts clarified Satan. Dose, a headful all the time. Brandy is said by Dr. Johnson to be the drink of heroes. Only a hero will venture to drink it.”
About This Quote
Source Dictionary entry: "Brandy" by Ambrose Bierce, 19th century satire
Brandy is humorously described as a dangerous, intoxicating mixture associated with heroic daring, warning of its perilous allure
In simple terms: Brandy is a risky drink linked to heroism, but it’s dangerous
Recognize allure of risky glorified behaviors and their dangers
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- social drinking
- risk assessment
- heroic mythmaking
- personal boundaries
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- What does the metaphor of "heroic drink" reveal about society’s view of risk?
- How can we balance admiration for bravery with awareness of danger?
The glorification may mask the real harms and encourage reckless behavior