Austerity Quote by Ambrose Bierce
“HUMORIST, n. A plague that would have softened down the hoar austerity of Pharaoh's heart and persuaded him to dismiss Israel with his best wishes, cat-quick.”
About This Quote
Source Dictionary Definition, 19th century, lexicon entry
The definition humorously likens a humorist to a plague that softens a ruler's harshness, encouraging a lighter, more forgiving stance.
In simple terms: Humorists ease harshness, prompting kindness.
Key Takeaway
Use humor to soften tension.
Themes
humor
softening
social influence
language
Mood
wry
critical
Type
satirical
reflective
When to use this quote
- political discourse
- personal relationships
- media commentary
- conflict resolution
Key Concepts
satire
psychology
communication
cultural critique
Questions to Reflect On
- When can humor backfire?
- How to balance humor with respect?
A Different Perspective
Humor can be misinterpreted or seen as trivializing serious issues.
![“What can you do? [Bernie] Sanders, as a Jewish man: What could Pharaoh do to extend his time, and stop the plagues from coming on Egypt? This is the modern "Egypt", Mr. Sanders. Let the Black man go and give us justice, and these things that are whipping you today will start diminishing, and you…” quote by Louis Farrakhan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/83a/louis-farrakhan-1264_black_what-can-you-do-bernie-sanders-as-a-jewi_2991418.jpg)
