--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: ABNORMAL, adj. Not conforming to…" description: "\"ABNORMAL, adj. Not conforming to standard. In matters of thought and conduct, to be independent is to be abnormal, to be abnormal is to be detested. Wh..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/029/ambrose-bierce-140_abnormal_abnormal-adj-not-conforming-to-standard_793483.jpg" --- # ABNORMAL, adj. Not conforming to standard. In matters of… ![“ABNORMAL, adj. Not conforming to standard. In matters of thought and conduct, to be independent is to be abnormal, to be abnormal is to be detested. Wherefore the lexicographer adviseth a striving toward the straiter [sic] resemblance of the Average Man than he hath to himself. Whoso attaineth…” quote by Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/029/ambrose-bierce-140_abnormal_abnormal-adj-not-conforming-to-standard_793483.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/029/ambrose-bierce-140_abnormal_abnormal-adj-not-conforming-to-standard_793483.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/029/ambrose-bierce-140_abnormal_abnormal-adj-not-conforming-to-standard_793483.jpg) > “ABNORMAL, adj. Not conforming to standard. In matters of thought and conduct, to be independent is to be abnormal, to be abnormal is to be detested. Wherefore the lexicographer adviseth a striving toward the straiter \[sic\] resemblance of the Average Man than he hath to himself. Whoso attaineth thereto shall have peace, the prospect of death and the hope of Hell.” [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Being independent in thought and behavior makes one abnormal, which society despises, yet conformity leads to a hollow peace and inevitable death. **In simple terms:** Independence is seen as abnormal and shunned, while conformity promises peace but emptiness. Key Takeaway Embrace authentic thought, not societal pressure. Themes conformity independence societal pressure authenticity Mood conflicted reflective Type philosophical critical motivational When to use this quote - personal decision making - creative work - leadership - social activism Key Concepts individualism social norms existential risk Questions to Reflect On - Do you value safety over authenticity? - How does societal pressure shape your choices? A Different Perspective Conformity can provide safety and acceptance, which many value over authenticity. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Average man](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/average-man/) [Hell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hell/) [Hope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hope/) [Lexicographer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lexicographer/) [Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men/) ## Related quotes > [“ABNORMAL, adj. Not conforming to standards in matters of thought and conduct. To be independent is to be abnormal, to be abnormal is to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/abnormal-adj-not-conforming-to-standards-in-matters-of-thought-and/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [Abnormal, adj. Not conforming to standard. In matters of thought and conduct, to be independent is to be abnormal, to be abnormal is to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/abnormal-adj-not-conforming-to-standard-in-matters-of-thought-and-2/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [“In matters of thought and conduct, to be independent is to be abnormal, to be abnormal is to be detested. Wherefore the lexicographer adviseth…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/in-matters-of-thought-and-conduct-to-be-independent-is-to-be-abnormal/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [Patriotism, n. Combustible rubbish ready to the torch of any one ambitious to illuminate his name. In Dr. Johnson's famous dictionary patriotism is defined…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/patriotism-n-combustible-rubbish-ready-to-the-torch-of-any-one/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [“LEXICOGRAPHER, n. A pestilent fellow who, under the pretense of recording some particular stage in the development of a language, does what he can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/lexicographer-n-a-pestilent-fellow-who-under-the-pretense-of-2/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [MAGIC, n. An art of converting superstition into coin. There are other arts serving the same high purpose, but the discreet lexicographer does not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/magic-n-an-art-of-converting-superstition-into-coin-there-are-other/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [KISS, n. A word invented by the poets as a rhyme for "bliss." It is supposed to signify, in a general way, some kind…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/kiss-n-a-word-invented-by-the-poets-as-a-rhyme-for-bliss-it-is/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [OBSOLETE, adj. No longer used by the timid. Said chiefly of words. A word which some lexicographer has marked obsolete is ever thereafter an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/obsolete-adj-no-longer-used-by-the-timid-said-chiefly-of-words-a-word/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [LEXICOGRAPHER, n. A pestilent fellow who, under the pretense of recording some particular stage in the development of a language, does what he can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/lexicographer-n-a-pestilent-fellow-who-under-the-pretense-of/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [The bold and discerning writer who, recognizing the truth that language must grow by innovation if it grow at all, makes new words and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/the-bold-and-discerning-writer-who-recognizing-the-truth-that/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [Nothing is wonderful except in the abnormal, and nothing is abnormal until we have grasped the norm.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/nothing-is-wonderful-except-in-the-abnormal-and-nothing-is-abnormal/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Normal fear protects us; abnormal fear paralyses us. Normal fear motivates us to improve our individual and collective welfare; abnormal fear constantly poisons and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-luther-king-jr/normal-fear-protects-us-abnormal-fear-paralyses-us-normal-fear/) [Martin Luther King, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-luther-king-jr/) > [I am very abnormal... But it wasnt very long ago that I wasnt so abnormal. I was very normal and headed for a lifetime…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dirk-benedict/i-am-very-abnormal-but-it-wasnt-very-long-ago-that-i-wasnt-so/) [Dirk Benedict](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dirk-benedict/) > [Even a woman of abnormal will cannot escape her hormonal identity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/camille-paglia/even-a-woman-of-abnormal-will-cannot-escape-her-hormonal-identity/) [Camille Paglia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/camille-paglia/) > [I have been putting words like 'abnormal' and 'deviant' in quotes because those categorizations are under fire now, the boundary between normal and abnormal…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-truett-anderson/i-have-been-putting-words-like-abnormal-and-deviant-in-quotes-because/) [Walter Truett Anderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-truett-anderson/) ## More by Ambrose Bierce > [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…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/obsessed-p-p-vexed-by-an-evil-spirit-like-the-gadarene-swine-and/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [DECIDE, v.i. To succumb to the preponderance of one set of influences over another set.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/decide-v-i-to-succumb-to-the-preponderance-of-one-set-of-influences/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [IMMORAL, adj. Inexpedient. Whatever in the long run and with regard to the greater number of instances men find to be generally inexpedient comes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/immoral-adj-inexpedient-whatever-in-the-long-run-and-with-regard-to/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [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…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/review-v-t-to-set-your-wisdom-holding-not-a-doubt-of-it-although-in/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [CLOCK, n. A machine of great moral value to man, allaying his concern for the future by reminding him what a lot of time…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/clock-n-a-machine-of-great-moral-value-to-man-allaying-his-concern/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [RUBBISH, n. Worthless matter, such as the religions, philosophies, literatures, arts and sciences of the tribes infesting the regions lying due south from Boreaplas.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/rubbish-n-worthless-matter-such-as-the-religions-philosophies/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [There was never a genius who was not thought a fool until he disclosed himself; whereas he is a fool then only.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/there-was-never-a-genius-who-was-not-thought-a-fool-until-he/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [Telephone, n. An invention of the devil which abrogates some of the advantages of making a disagreeable person keep his distance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/telephone-n-an-invention-of-the-devil-which-abrogates-some-of-the/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [WHANGDEPOOTENAWAH, n. In the Ojibwa tongue, disaster; an unexpected affliction that strikes hard.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/whangdepootenawah-n-in-the-ojibwa-tongue-disaster-an-unexpected/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [Jealous, adj. Unduly concerned about the preservation of that which can be lost only if not worth keeping.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/jealous-adj-unduly-concerned-about-the-preservation-of-that-which-can/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [RIDICULE, n. Words designed to show that the person of whom they are uttered is devoid of the dignity of character distinguishing him who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/ridicule-n-words-designed-to-show-that-the-person-of-whom-they-are/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [Think twice before you speak to a friend in need](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/think-twice-before-you-speak-to-a-friend-in-need/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [HERMIT, n. A person whose vices and follies are not sociable.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/hermit-n-a-person-whose-vices-and-follies-are-not-sociable/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [TARIFF, n. A scale of taxes on imports, designed to protect the domestic producer against the greed of his consumer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/tariff-n-a-scale-of-taxes-on-imports-designed-to-protect-the-domestic/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [A bad marriage is like an electrical thrilling machine: it makes you dance, but you can't let go.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/a-bad-marriage-is-like-an-electrical-thrilling-machine-it-makes-you/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) [Explore all 1,157 Ambrose Bierce quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) ## More Abnormal quotes > [While sleep is clearly vital to emotional well-being, what is it, exactly, about sleep that is so necessary? As it turns out, mood disorders…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-weil/while-sleep-is-clearly-vital-to-emotional-well-being-what-is-it/) [Andrew Weil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-weil/) > [“The abnormal ones stand out. Thankfully I'm abnormal.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marion-bekoe/the-abnormal-ones-stand-out-thankfully-i-m-abnormal/) [Marion Bekoe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marion-bekoe/) > [Power when wielded by abnormal energy is the most serious of facts.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-adams/power-when-wielded-by-abnormal-energy-is-the-most-serious-of-facts/) [Henry Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-adams/) > [I think the thing that music can do is be unsettling. It is abnormal - music that's perceived to be different in an unresolved…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bear-mccreary/i-think-the-thing-that-music-can-do-is-be-unsettling-it-is-abnormal/) [Bear McCreary](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bear-mccreary/) > [You don't want to love - your eternal and abnormal craving is to be loved. You aren't positive, you're negative. You absorb, absorb, as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/you-don-t-want-to-love-your-eternal-and-abnormal-craving-is-to-be/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [It may be an extreme example brought about by abnormal circumstances - but the criteria of human rights kick in, surely, precisely when the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/breyten-breytenbach/it-may-be-an-extreme-example-brought-about-by-abnormal-circumstances/) [Breyten Breytenbach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/breyten-breytenbach/) > [Depression is not caused by a chemical imbalance in the brain, and it is not cured by medication. Depression may not even be an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/irving-kirsch/depression-is-not-caused-by-a-chemical-imbalance-in-the-brain-and-it/) [Irving Kirsch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/irving-kirsch/) > [“A ‘normal person’ is what is left after society has squeezed out all unconventional opinions and aspirations out of a human being.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mokokoma-mokhonoana/a-normal-person-is-what-is-left-after-society-has-squeezed-out-all/) [Mokokoma Mokhonoana](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mokokoma-mokhonoana/) > [In the theory of gender I began from zero. There is no masculine power or privilege I did not covet. But slowly, step by…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/camille-paglia/in-the-theory-of-gender-i-began-from-zero-there-is-no-masculine-power/) [Camille Paglia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/camille-paglia/) > [Fury is an entirely appropriate response to a system that sends young people to kill other young people in a war that never should…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/naomi-klein/fury-is-an-entirely-appropriate-response-to-a-system-that-sends-young/) [Naomi Klein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/naomi-klein/) > [I guess I'm attracted to these off beat roles because my life has been a bit abnormal. The only thing I have a problem…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johnny-depp/i-guess-i-m-attracted-to-these-off-beat-roles-because-my-life-has/) [Johnny Depp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johnny-depp/) > [My work involves the physical manifestation of emotional reality. Thus, the invisible becomes visible; the normal, abnormal; and the familiar, unfamiliar. Ordinary life is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sandy-skoglund/my-work-involves-the-physical-manifestation-of-emotional-reality-thus/) [Sandy Skoglund](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sandy-skoglund/) > [Victory is the normal experience of a Christian; defeat should be the abnormal experience.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/watchman-nee/victory-is-the-normal-experience-of-a-christian-defeat-should-be-the/) [Watchman Nee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/watchman-nee/) > [“He knew that he was caught up in one of those stretches of time when for anything to happen normally would be abnormal. The…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mervyn-peake/he-knew-that-he-was-caught-up-in-one-of-those-stretches-of-time-when/) [Mervyn Peake](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mervyn-peake/) > [Benedict XVI kept saying that homosexuals are deviant. They're not deviant. They're deviant only if you say that anyone who is different from me…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-shelby-spong/benedict-xvi-kept-saying-that-homosexuals-are-deviant-they-re-not/) [John Shelby Spong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-shelby-spong/) Browse all 260 Abnormal quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "ABNORMAL, adj. Not conforming to standard. In matters of thought and conduct, to be independent is to be abnormal, to be abnormal is to be detested. Wherefore the lexicographer adviseth a striving toward the straiter [sic] resemblance of the Average Man than he hath to himself. 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