--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: ASS, n. A public singer with a good voice…" description: "\"ASS, n. A public singer with a good voice but no ear.\" — Ambrose Bierce" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f8b/ambrose-bierce-140_ass_ass-n-a-public-singer-with-a-good-voice_3092916.jpg" --- # ASS, n. A public singer with a good voice but no ear. ![“ASS, n. A public singer with a good voice but no ear.” quote by Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f8b/ambrose-bierce-140_ass_ass-n-a-public-singer-with-a-good-voice_3092916.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f8b/ambrose-bierce-140_ass_ass-n-a-public-singer-with-a-good-voice_3092916.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f8b/ambrose-bierce-140_ass_ass-n-a-public-singer-with-a-good-voice_3092916.jpg) > “ASS, n. A public singer with a good voice but no ear.” [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. He critiques singers lacking musical insight, mocking superficial talent. **In simple terms:** Mocks singers without true skill. Key Takeaway Value depth over appearance. Themes critique art talent skepticism Mood wry critical Type literary humorous When to use this quote - music education - talent scouting - media criticism - artistic standards Key Concepts aesthetic judgment cultural commentary Questions to Reflect On - How do we differentiate skill from show? - When is criticism constructive? A Different Perspective May dismiss genuine but unconventional talent. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Singers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/singers/) [Voice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/voice/) ## Related quotes > [Tell Lucien I said fuck it Im tearing holes in my budget. Bag her like we in Publix and take her ass out in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/drake/tell-lucien-i-said-fuck-it-im-tearing-holes-in-my-budget-bag-her-like/) [Drake](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/drake/) > [Every good singer is a good actor.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kumar-sanu/every-good-singer-is-a-good-actor/) [Kumar Sanu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kumar-sanu/) > [For the most part, I really love being in a collaborative thing. And in a collaborative thing if you have a singer as good…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stone-gossard/for-the-most-part-i-really-love-being-in-a-collaborative-thing-and-in/) [Stone Gossard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stone-gossard/) > [It should be if you're a good singer and a good songwriter, you should have your spot. You get everybody trying to release the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/randy-houser/it-should-be-if-you-re-a-good-singer-and-a-good-songwriter-you-should/) [Randy Houser](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/randy-houser/) > [All of my experiences as a singer will be of good use long into the future, when I get old enough to finally train…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/boa/all-of-my-experiences-as-a-singer-will-be-of-good-use-long-into-the/) BoA > [The thing I love about music is that if a singer is good, let's say, you are instantly transported to that emotion. Acting is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carrie-anne-moss/the-thing-i-love-about-music-is-that-if-a-singer-is-good-let-s-say/) [Carrie-Anne Moss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carrie-anne-moss/) > [Every morning is good news, every child that is born is good news, every just man is good news, every singer is good news,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/facundo-cabral/every-morning-is-good-news-every-child-that-is-born-is-good-news/) [Facundo Cabral](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/facundo-cabral/) > [I did record a bunch of stuff, but the thing that usually stops me from doing that is that I'm a terrible singer. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/flea/i-did-record-a-bunch-of-stuff-but-the-thing-that-usually-stops-me/) [Flea](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/flea/) > [I just never had the desire to go beyond that - just to be a good country singer and a good country songwriter.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/porter-wagoner/i-just-never-had-the-desire-to-go-beyond-that-just-to-be-a-good/) [Porter Wagoner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/porter-wagoner/) > [You know, a singer is only as good as the song.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lorrie-morgan/you-know-a-singer-is-only-as-good-as-the-song/) [Lorrie Morgan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lorrie-morgan/) > [There's a category for me. I like to be referred to as a good singer of good songs in good taste.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-vaughan/there-s-a-category-for-me-i-like-to-be-referred-to-as-a-good-singer/) [Sarah Vaughan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-vaughan/) > [“Oh," said Castle. "Him." He shrugged. "People have to talk about something just to keep their voice boxes in working order, so they'll have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kurt-vonnegut/oh-said-castle-him-he-shrugged-people-have-to-talk-about-something/) [Kurt Vonnegut](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kurt-vonnegut/) > [I was judgmental of artists who were exploring their sexuality, and I thought, Why are they doing that? They don't have to. They've got…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/demi-lovato/i-was-judgmental-of-artists-who-were-exploring-their-sexuality-and-i/) [Demi Lovato](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/demi-lovato/) > [I believe a voice is a voice. I could wear a box on my head and still have a good voice.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jorja-smith/i-believe-a-voice-is-a-voice-i-could-wear-a-box-on-my-head-and-still/) [Jorja Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jorja-smith/) > [As long as I can sing halfway decent, I'd rather sing than act. There's nothing like being in good voice, feeling good, having good…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howard-keel/as-long-as-i-can-sing-halfway-decent-i-d-rather-sing-than-act-there-s/) [Howard Keel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howard-keel/) ## 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 Ass quotes > [I can skate beautifully. While performing on ice I always try to please the audience and to win as well. 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It is not going to be evenly constituted and when she was Speaker Pelosi, she certainly showed no interests…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/trey-gowdy/i-can-tell-you-this-it-is-not-going-to-be-evenly-constituted-and-when/) [Trey Gowdy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/trey-gowdy/) > [Whoa. He had ghouls on speed dial. My lawyer kicks so much ass.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-hearne/whoa-he-had-ghouls-on-speed-dial-my-lawyer-kicks-so-much-ass/) [Kevin Hearne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-hearne/) > [Don't fire until you see the whites of their eyes!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-h-prescott/don-t-fire-until-you-see-the-whites-of-their-eyes/) [William H. Prescott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-h-prescott/) > [“Employment is an employee’s kissing of an employer’s ass. 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