--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: CARNIVOROUS, adj. Addicted to the cruelty…" description: "\"CARNIVOROUS, adj. Addicted to the cruelty of devouring the timorous vegetarian, his heirs and assigns.\" — Ambrose Bierce" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c74/ambrose-bierce-140_cruelty_carnivorous-adj-addicted-to-the-cruelty_1426695.jpg" --- # CARNIVOROUS, adj. Addicted to the cruelty of devouring the… ![“CARNIVOROUS, adj. Addicted to the cruelty of devouring the timorous vegetarian, his heirs and assigns.” quote by Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c74/ambrose-bierce-140_cruelty_carnivorous-adj-addicted-to-the-cruelty_1426695.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c74/ambrose-bierce-140_cruelty_carnivorous-adj-addicted-to-the-cruelty_1426695.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c74/ambrose-bierce-140_cruelty_carnivorous-adj-addicted-to-the-cruelty_1426695.jpg) > “CARNIVOROUS, adj. Addicted to the cruelty of devouring the timorous vegetarian, his heirs and assigns.” [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. A satirical definition highlighting a savage, predatory mindset that revels in dominating the meek. **In simple terms:** Describes a cruel, predatory attitude. Key Takeaway Beware and such ruthless tendencies. Themes satire predation power cruelty Mood cynical critical Type satirical commentary When to use this quote - political discourse - media commentary - personal relationships Key Concepts social critique dark humor Questions to Reflect On - How does satire reveal hidden power dynamics? - When is harsh humor effective? A Different Perspective Such extreme language can alienate and oversimplify complex issues. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Cruelty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cruelty/) [Culinary](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/culinary/) [Heirs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/heirs/) [Humour](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/humour/) [Sarcastic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sarcastic/) [Science](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/science/) [Vegetarian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/vegetarian/) ## Related quotes > [SARCOPHAGUS, n. Among the Greeks a coffin which being made of a certain kind of carnivorous stone, had the peculiar property of devouring the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/sarcophagus-n-among-the-greeks-a-coffin-which-being-made-of-a-certain/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [“Grief,” he said, “is carnivorous. It feeds whether you’re awake or not, whether you fight it or you don’t. Much like cancer. And one…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dennis-lehane/grief-he-said-is-carnivorous-it-feeds-whether-you-re-awake-or-not/) [Dennis Lehane](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dennis-lehane/) > [Grief, he said, is carnivorous.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dennis-lehane/grief-he-said-is-carnivorous/) [Dennis Lehane](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dennis-lehane/) > [“How should those of us of no great education challenge him at table when he compared the efficiency of lions and camels and arrived…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/heinz-linge/how-should-those-of-us-of-no-great-education-challenge-him-at-table/) [Heinz Linge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/heinz-linge/) > [Lions and other carnivorous animals do eat meat, but that doesn't mean we should. They would die if they didn't eat meat. Human beings,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sharon-gannon/lions-and-other-carnivorous-animals-do-eat-meat-but-that-doesn-t-mean/) [Sharon Gannon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sharon-gannon/) > [The family spirit has rendered man carnivorous.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-picabia/the-family-spirit-has-rendered-man-carnivorous/) [Francis Picabia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-picabia/) > [“Only in summer-phase is it carnivorous.” If there was an award for understatement, I thought, the Tyr would trounce all competition.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-s-friedman/only-in-summer-phase-is-it-carnivorous-if-there-was-an-award-for/) [C.S. Friedman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/c-s-friedman/) > [“My Manager forced me to put my beetle in my own ear, a clear waste and an act that gave me nightmares: of a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-vandermeer/my-manager-forced-me-to-put-my-beetle-in-my-own-ear-a-clear-waste-and/) [Jeff VanderMeer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-vandermeer/) > [The case for meat-eaters - if eating meat is a sin, then why are some plants carnivorous?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/siddharth-katragadda/the-case-for-meat-eaters-if-eating-meat-is-a-sin-then-why-are-some/) [Siddharth Katragadda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/siddharth-katragadda/) > [There is no doubt, that man is not built to be a carnivorous animal. What a sweet, pleasing and innocent sight is the spectacle…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-ray/there-is-no-doubt-that-man-is-not-built-to-be-a-carnivorous-animal/) [John Ray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-ray/) > [Had I managed to fall into some sort of carnivorous plant? Yeah, bleed on the man-eating plant. Always a good plan.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diana-rowland/had-i-managed-to-fall-into-some-sort-of-carnivorous-plant-yeah-bleed/) [Diana Rowland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diana-rowland/) > [“Is it not a reproach that man is a carnivorous animal? True, he can and does live, in a great measure, by preying on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-david-thoreau/is-it-not-a-reproach-that-man-is-a-carnivorous-animal-true-he-can-and/) [Henry David Thoreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-david-thoreau/) > [“We generally accept that it's natural for carnivorous wild animals to kill other animals in order to live. But people don't often think (or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marc-bekoff/we-generally-accept-that-it-s-natural-for-carnivorous-wild-animals-to/) [Marc Bekoff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marc-bekoff/) > [Man is a carnivorous production, And must have meals, at least one meal a day; He cannot live, like woodcocks, upon suction, But, like…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lord-byron/man-is-a-carnivorous-production-and-must-have-meals-at-least-one-meal/) [Lord Byron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lord-byron/) > [Lions and other carnivorous animals do a lot of things besides eat meat. They live outdoors, not in houses; they don't wear clothes or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sharon-gannon/lions-and-other-carnivorous-animals-do-a-lot-of-things-besides-eat/) [Sharon Gannon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sharon-gannon/) ## 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 Cruelty quotes > [It revealed a cruelty that really made one wonder if the universe was such a good idea after all.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-lindsay/it-revealed-a-cruelty-that-really-made-one-wonder-if-the-universe-was/) [Jeff Lindsay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-lindsay/) > [Nature is pitiless; she never withdraws her flowers, her music, her fragrance, and her sunlight from before human cruelty or suffering.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/victor-hugo/nature-is-pitiless-she-never-withdraws-her-flowers-her-music-her/) [Victor Hugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/victor-hugo/) > [I could not have slept tonight if I had left that helpless little creature to perish on the ground.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/i-could-not-have-slept-tonight-if-i-had-left-that-helpless-little/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [There's a certain edge about cruelty. If you're honest about it, most people wince, but say it had to be said.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pete-waterman/there-s-a-certain-edge-about-cruelty-if-you-re-honest-about-it-most/) [Pete Waterman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pete-waterman/) > [He lacked tenderness; he was rude; and he had more than a streak of cruelty in him; he was a thief and a liar.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daphne-du-maurier/he-lacked-tenderness-he-was-rude-and-he-had-more-than-a-streak-of/) [Daphne du Maurier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daphne-du-maurier/) > [There is a spirit which I feel that delights to do no evil, nor to revenge any wrong, but delights to endure all things,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-nayler/there-is-a-spirit-which-i-feel-that-delights-to-do-no-evil-nor-to/) James Nayler > [The love for all living creatures is the most noble attribute of man.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-darwin/the-love-for-all-living-creatures-is-the-most-noble-attribute-of-man/) [Charles Darwin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-darwin/) > [Regarding lack of vision or disabilities of the organ of sight, it has long been known among researchers that it is the effect of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-heindel/regarding-lack-of-vision-or-disabilities-of-the-organ-of-sight-it-has/) [Max Heindel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-heindel/) > [“When you’re a monster, she thought, you are thanked and praised for not behaving like a monster. She would like to restrain from cruelty…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kristin-cashore/when-you-re-a-monster-she-thought-you-are-thanked-and-praised-for-not/) [Kristin Cashore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kristin-cashore/) > [What is it the Bible teaches us? - raping, cruelty, and murder. What is it the New Testament teaches us? - to believe that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-paine/what-is-it-the-bible-teaches-us-raping-cruelty-and-murder-what-is-it/) [Thomas Paine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-paine/) > [Music comes from the heart and returns to the heart... music is spontaneous, impulsive expression... its range is without limit... music is forever growing...…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leopold-stokowski/music-comes-from-the-heart-and-returns-to-the-heart-music-is/) [Leopold Stokowski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leopold-stokowski/) > [The schoolmaster is the person who takes the children off the parents' hands for a consideration. That is to say, he establishes a child…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-bernard-shaw/the-schoolmaster-is-the-person-who-takes-the-children-off-the-parents/) [George Bernard Shaw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-bernard-shaw/) > [You must learn that to endure cruelty is to become cruel yourself](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bleach/you-must-learn-that-to-endure-cruelty-is-to-become-cruel-yourself/) [Bleach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bleach/) > [“in every pleasure, cruelty has its place...”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oscar-wilde/in-every-pleasure-cruelty-has-its-place/) [Oscar Wilde](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oscar-wilde/) > [“Old people deserves a medal, a medal of existence which crowns their long-term victory against the cruelty of time and the dangers of this…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mehmet-murat-ildan/old-people-deserves-a-medal-a-medal-of-existence-which-crowns-their/) [Mehmet Murat ildan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mehmet-murat-ildan/) [Browse all 1,675 Cruelty quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cruelty/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "CARNIVOROUS, adj. 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