--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: APOTHECARY, n. The physician's…" description: "\"APOTHECARY, n. The physician's accomplice, undertaker's benefactor and grave worm's provider\" — Ambrose Bierce" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d2f/ambrose-bierce-140_accomplices_apothecary-n-the-physician-s-accomplice_1090702.jpg" --- # APOTHECARY, n. The physician's accomplice, undertaker's… ![“APOTHECARY, n. The physician's accomplice, undertaker's benefactor and grave worm's provider” quote by Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d2f/ambrose-bierce-140_accomplices_apothecary-n-the-physician-s-accomplice_1090702.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d2f/ambrose-bierce-140_accomplices_apothecary-n-the-physician-s-accomplice_1090702.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d2f/ambrose-bierce-140_accomplices_apothecary-n-the-physician-s-accomplice_1090702.jpg) > “APOTHECARY, n. The physician's accomplice, undertaker's benefactor and grave worm's provider” [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. Defines a pharmacist as a collaborator in death, highlighting the dark side of medicine. **In simple terms:** A pharmacist is linked to death in a cynical view. Key Takeaway Recognize ethical dimensions of healthcare. Themes medicine death ethics dark humor language Mood ironic critical Type satirical philosophical When to use this quote - medical practice - pharmaceutical industry - patient care - historical context Key Concepts moral ambiguity societal critique satire Questions to Reflect On - How does humor reveal societal anxieties? - What responsibilities do medical professionals hold? A Different Perspective The definition is hyperbolic and not a literal truth. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Accomplice Undertaker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/accomplice-undertaker-2818603/) [Accomplices](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/accomplices/) [Apothecary](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/apothecary/) [Apothecary Physician](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/apothecary-physician-2818601/) [Benefactors](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/benefactors/) [Graves](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/graves/) [Humour](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/humour/) [Medicine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/medicine/) [Physician Accomplice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/physician-accomplice-2818602/) [Physicians](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/physicians/) [Providers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/providers/) [Science](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/science/) [Undertaker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/undertaker/) [Undertaker Benefactor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/undertaker-benefactor-2818604/) [Worms](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/worms/) ## Related quotes > [ACCOMPLICE, n. One associated with another in a crime, having guilty knowledge and complicity, as an attorney who defends a criminal, knowing him guilty.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/accomplice-n-one-associated-with-another-in-a-crime-having-guilty/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [The longer I live, the more I am convinced that the apothecary is of more importance than Seneca; and that half the unhappiness in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sydney-smith/the-longer-i-live-the-more-i-am-convinced-that-the-apothecary-is-of/) [Sydney Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sydney-smith/) > [“The Apothecary was surprised. “You would give up everything you believed in?” “If it would save my daughters,” the parson said. “I’d give up…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-ness/the-apothecary-was-surprised-you-would-give-up-everything-you/) [Patrick Ness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-ness/) > [The Apothecaries morter spoiles the Luters musick.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-herbert/the-apothecaries-morter-spoiles-the-luters-musick/) [George Herbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-herbert/) > [“Our medicines are not something you'll find at the drugstore, but at the bookshop, in the library, or downloaded onto your electronic reading device.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ella-berthoud-susan-elderkin/our-medicines-are-not-something-you-ll-find-at-the-drugstore-but-at/) [Ella Berthoud & Susan Elderkin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ella-berthoud-susan-elderkin/) > [“Spanish rain, A maiden’s dress, Apothecary pills And ancient thrills; Melancholy kills A girl’s caress.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roman-payne/spanish-rain-a-maiden-s-dress-apothecary-pills-and-ancient-thrills-2/) [Roman Payne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roman-payne/) > [If odours may worke satisfaction, they are so soveraigne in plants and so comfortable that no confection of the apothecaries can equall their excellent…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-gerard/if-odours-may-worke-satisfaction-they-are-so-soveraigne-in-plants-and/) [John Gerard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-gerard/) > [true apothecary thy drugs art quick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/true-apothecary-thy-drugs-art-quick/) [William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/) > [For my second novel, The Apothecary's Daughter, my editor encouraged me to think of another unusual profession for a woman to have. That led…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julie-klassen/for-my-second-novel-the-apothecary-s-daughter-my-editor-encouraged-me/) [Julie Klassen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julie-klassen/) > [Death. The certain prospect of death could sweeten every life with a precious and fragrant drop of levity- and now you strange apothecary souls…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/friedrich-nietzsche/death-the-certain-prospect-of-death-could-sweeten-every-life-with-a/) [Friedrich Nietzsche](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/friedrich-nietzsche/) > [“Spanish rain, A maiden’s dress, Apothecary pills And ancient thrills; Melancholy kills A girl’s caress. (—Roman Payne; Valencia, Spain, November 2nd 2012)”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roman-payne/spanish-rain-a-maiden-s-dress-apothecary-pills-and-ancient-thrills/) [Roman Payne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roman-payne/) > [An apothecary should never be out of spirits.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-brinsley-sheridan/an-apothecary-should-never-be-out-of-spirits/) [Richard Brinsley Sheridan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-brinsley-sheridan/) > [As the few adepts in such things well know, universal morality is to be found in little everyday penny-events just as much as in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/georg-c-lichtenberg/as-the-few-adepts-in-such-things-well-know-universal-morality-is-to/) [Georg C. Lichtenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/georg-c-lichtenberg/) > [This is alchemy, and this is the office of Vulcan; he is the apothecary and chemist of the medicine.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paracelsus/this-is-alchemy-and-this-is-the-office-of-vulcan-he-is-the-apothecary/) [Paracelsus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paracelsus/) > [No families take so little medicine as those of doctors, except those of apothecaries.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oliver-wendell-holmes-sr/no-families-take-so-little-medicine-as-those-of-doctors-except-those/) [Oliver Wendell Holmes Sr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oliver-wendell-holmes-sr/) ## 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 Accomplices quotes > [It takes little or nothing to undo reputations, the merest trifle makes and remakes them, it is simply a question of finding the best…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jos-saramago/it-takes-little-or-nothing-to-undo-reputations-the-merest-trifle/) [Jose Saramago](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jos-saramago/) > [Americans will not allow any Islamic regime to reach the position of governance except if it is an accomplice to the Americans, just like…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ayman-al-zawahiri/americans-will-not-allow-any-islamic-regime-to-reach-the-position-of/) [Ayman al-Zawahiri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ayman-al-zawahiri/) > [And this is the forbidden truth, the unspeakable taboo - that evil is not always repellent but frequently attractive; that it has the power…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joyce-carol-oates/and-this-is-the-forbidden-truth-the-unspeakable-taboo-that-evil-is/) [Joyce Carol Oates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joyce-carol-oates/) > [Insecurity is miserable. That's the bottom line. We don't need it. We don't want it. And we really can live without it. So what…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/beth-moore/insecurity-is-miserable-that-s-the-bottom-line-we-don-t-need-it-we/) [Beth Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/beth-moore/) > [An American professor complained that a crypto-Marxist like me was invited in the USA, and I was denounced by the press in Eastern European…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michel-foucault/an-american-professor-complained-that-a-crypto-marxist-like-me-was/) [Michel Foucault](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michel-foucault/) > [And the past held only this wisdom: that love was a damaging mistake, and its accomplice, hope, a treacherous illusion. And whenever those twin…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/khaled-hosseini/and-the-past-held-only-this-wisdom-that-love-was-a-damaging-mistake-2/) [Khaled Hosseini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/khaled-hosseini/) > [You're only a victim once. The next time you're an accomplice.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/naomi-judd/you-re-only-a-victim-once-the-next-time-you-re-an-accomplice/) [Naomi Judd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/naomi-judd/) > [Then one day I realized that a false picture of the German camps had been created and that the problem of the concentration camps…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-rassinier/then-one-day-i-realized-that-a-false-picture-of-the-german-camps-had/) [Paul Rassinier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-rassinier/) > [And what is an authentic madman? It is a man who preferred to become mad, in the socially accepted sense of the word, rather…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/antonin-artaud/and-what-is-an-authentic-madman-it-is-a-man-who-preferred-to-become/) [Antonin Artaud](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/antonin-artaud/) > [The injustice of defeat lies in the fact that its most innocent victims are made to look like heartless accomplices. It is impossible to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-injustice-of-defeat-lies-in-the-fact-that-its-most-innocent/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Simply because, one hand, there are the haters, The hater has power. All we can do is oppose it, or one becomes an accomplice.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elie-wiesel/simply-because-one-hand-there-are-the-haters-the-hater-has-power-all/) [Elie Wiesel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elie-wiesel/) > [I have never seen more Senators express discontent with their jobs…I think the major cause is that, deep down in our hearts, we have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-danforth/i-have-never-seen-more-senators-express-discontent-with-their-jobs-i/) [John C. Danforth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-danforth/) > [You give up the world line by line. Stoically. And then one day you realize that your courage is farcical. It doesn't mean anything.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cormac-mccarthy/you-give-up-the-world-line-by-line-stoically-and-then-one-day-you/) [Cormac McCarthy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cormac-mccarthy/) > [We become accomplices in evil every time we seek to soothe the unslakable appetites of the crime family that sits in Pyongyang.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-hitchens/we-become-accomplices-in-evil-every-time-we-seek-to-soothe-the/) [Christopher Hitchens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-hitchens/) > [When struck on one cheek to turn the other, is really joining a conspiracy to secure the triumph of brutality. To agree not to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-green-ingersoll/when-struck-on-one-cheek-to-turn-the-other-is-really-joining-a/) [Robert Green Ingersoll](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-green-ingersoll/) [Browse all 95 Accomplices quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/accomplices/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "APOTHECARY, n. 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