--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: ABNORMAL, adj. Not conforming to…" description: "\"“ABNORMAL, adj. Not conforming to standards in matters of thought and conduct. To be independent is to be abnormal, to be abnormal is to be detested. A..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/826/ambrose-bierce-140_abnormal_abnormal-adj-not-conforming-to-standards_740669.jpg" --- # ABNORMAL, adj. Not conforming to standards in matters of… ![“ABNORMAL, adj. Not conforming to standards in matters of thought and conduct. To be independent is to be abnormal, to be abnormal is to be detested. A striving toward the straiter [sic] resemblance of the Average Man than he hath to himself, whoso attaineth thereto shall have peace, the prospect…” quote by Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/826/ambrose-bierce-140_abnormal_abnormal-adj-not-conforming-to-standards_740669.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/826/ambrose-bierce-140_abnormal_abnormal-adj-not-conforming-to-standards_740669.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/826/ambrose-bierce-140_abnormal_abnormal-adj-not-conforming-to-standards_740669.jpg) > ““ABNORMAL, adj. Not conforming to standards in matters of thought and conduct. To be independent is to be abnormal, to be abnormal is to be detested. 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. Conformity suppresses individuality; true independence is seen as abnormal and often despised, yet it leads to authentic peace beyond societal expectations. **In simple terms:** Being different is often rejected but brings true peace. Key Takeaway Embrace your uniqueness despite criticism. Themes individuality conformity peace death hell nonconformity Mood reflective defiant Type philosophical critical When to use this quote - personal identity - career choices - creative work - social activism Key Concepts existentialism social pressure authenticity Questions to Reflect On - Do you value peace over acceptance? - How does fear of judgment shape your choices? A Different Perspective Society may punish nonconformists, limiting their influence. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Hope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hope/) [Thought](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thought/) ## Related quotes > [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/) [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/) > [“Be sure that head and heart were laid In wisdom down, content to die. Be sure he faced the Starless Sky Unduped, unmurmuring, unafraid.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-sterling/be-sure-that-head-and-heart-were-laid-in-wisdom-down-content-to-die/) [George Sterling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-sterling/) > [Bierce radiates brilliancy, and perhaps no other man of letters ever had a more ready command of condensed expression. For him, each word has…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edwin-markham/bierce-radiates-brilliancy-and-perhaps-no-other-man-of-letters-ever/) [Edwin Markham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edwin-markham/) > [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/) > [“I always knew the woman i wanted to be- I knew I wanted to be a woman who was independant”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-always-knew-the-woman-i-wanted-to-be-i-knew-i-wanted-to-be-a-woman-2/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“I independently produce scientific advancements to share with everyone, and that is over seven billion people!”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-magee/i-independently-produce-scientific-advancements-to-share-with/) [Steven Magee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-magee/) > [“protectionI requested the figures on OSHA whistle-blower complaints made and the number actually upheld. 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If you can't adore her in her element, she will never allow you into her temple of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nikki-rowe/you-never-cage-a-woman-like-that-if-you-can-t-adore-her-in-her/) [Nikki rowe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nikki-rowe/) > [“The leading research in the adverse human health effects of electromagnetic radiation is not being done by well funded governments or corporations, it is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-magee/the-leading-research-in-the-adverse-human-health-effects-of/) [Steven Magee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-magee/) ## 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? 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