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Business Quote by Ambrose Bierce

“JESTER, n. An officer formerly attached to a king's household, whose business it was to amuse the court by ludicrous actions and utterances, the absurdity being attested by his motley costume. The king himself being attired with dignity, it took the world some centuries to discover that his own…” quote by Ambrose Bierce
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“JESTER, n. An officer formerly attached to a king's household, whose business it was to amuse the court by ludicrous actions and utterances, the absurdity being attested by his motley costume. The king himself being attired with dignity, it took the world some centuries to discover that his own conduct and decrees were sufficiently ridiculous for the amusement not only of his court but of all mankind. The jester was commonly called a fool, but the poets and romancers have ever delighted to represent him as a singularly wise and witty person. In the circus of to-day the melancholy ghost of the court fool effects the dejection of humbler audiences with the same jests wherewith in life he gloomed the marble hall, panged the patrician sense of humor and tapped the tank of royal tears. The widow-queen of Portugal Had an audacious jester Who entered the confessional Disguised, and there confessed her. Father, she said, thine ear bend down -- My sins are more than scarlet: I love my foo”

Ambrose Bierce

About This Quote

The passage sat how jesters, once court entertainers, are portrayed as wise observers whose humor reveals the absurdities of power and society.

In simple terms: Jesters expose the folly of authority through humor.

Key Takeaway

Use humor to reveal truth.

Themes

satire power humor society wisdom

Mood

wry critical reflective

Type

literary historical observational

When to use this quote

  • political speeches
  • stand‑up comedy
  • theatrical performances
  • literary analysis

Key Concepts

social critique role reversal cultural commentary

Questions to Reflect On

  • How can satire influence public perception?
  • When does humor become disrespectful?
A Different Perspective

Humor may be dismissed as frivolous, limiting its impact.

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