--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Death is a dignitary who when he comes…" description: "\"“Death is a dignitary who when he comes announced is to be received with formal manifestations of respect, even by those most familiar with him. In the..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ec1/ambrose-bierce-140_code_death-is-a-dignitary-who-when-he-comes-a_742430.jpg" --- # Death is a dignitary who when he comes announced is to be… ![“Death is a dignitary who when he comes announced is to be received with formal manifestations of respect, even by those most familiar with him. In the code of military etiquette silence and fixity are forms of deference.” quote by Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ec1/ambrose-bierce-140_code_death-is-a-dignitary-who-when-he-comes-a_742430.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ec1/ambrose-bierce-140_code_death-is-a-dignitary-who-when-he-comes-a_742430.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ec1/ambrose-bierce-140_code_death-is-a-dignitary-who-when-he-comes-a_742430.jpg) > ““Death is a dignitary who when he comes announced is to be received with formal manifestations of respect, even by those most familiar with him. In the code of military etiquette silence and fixity are forms of deference.”” [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. Military etiquette treats death with formal respect, using silence as a sign of deference. **In simple terms:** Death is honored with silence and respect. Key Takeaway Observe respectful silence for loss. Themes death respect ritual Mood solemn respectful Type historical reflective When to use this quote - funeral services - military ceremonies - historical commemorations - personal loss Key Concepts military culture etiquette mourning Questions to Reflect On - What does silence convey in mourning? - How does etiquette shape grief? A Different Perspective Formalities may mask personal grief. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Code](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/code/) [Death](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/death/) [Death Dignitary](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/death-dignitary-5250844/) [Deference](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/deference/) [Dignitary Comes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dignitary-comes-5250846/) [Etiquette](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/etiquette/) [Familiar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/familiar/) [Form](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/form/) [Formal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/formal/) [Manifestation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/manifestation/) [Military](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/military/) [Military Etiquette](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/military-etiquette-3993297/) [Respect](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/respect/) [Silence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/silence/) ## Related quotes > [“Death is a dignitary who when he comes announced is to be received with formal manifestations of respect, even by those most familiar with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/death-is-a-dignitary-who-when-he-comes-announced-is-to-be-received/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [“This "sir, yes sir" business, which would probably sound like horseshit to any civilian in his right mind, makes sense to Shaftoe and to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neal-stephenson/this-sir-yes-sir-business-which-would-probably-sound-like-horseshit/) [Neal Stephenson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neal-stephenson/) > [Washington society has always demanded less and given more than any society in this country--demanded less of applause, deference,etiquette, and has accepted as current…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/m-e-w-sherwood/washington-society-has-always-demanded-less-and-given-more-than-any/) [M. E. W. Sherwood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/m-e-w-sherwood/) > [DUEL, n. A formal ceremony preliminary to reconciliation of two enemies. Great skill is necessary to its satisfactory observance; if awkwardly performed . .…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/duel-n-a-formal-ceremony-preliminary-to-reconciliation-of-two-enemies/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [OVATION, n. n ancient Rome, a definite, formal pageant in honor of one who had been disserviceable to the enemies of the nation. A…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/ovation-n-n-ancient-rome-a-definite-formal-pageant-in-honor-of-one/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [Trial. A formal inquiry designed to prove and put upon record the blameless characters of judges, advocates and jurors.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/trial-a-formal-inquiry-designed-to-prove-and-put-upon-record-the/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [Deference often shrinks and withers as much upon the approach of intimacy as the sensitive plant does upon the touch of one's finger.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shenstone/deference-often-shrinks-and-withers-as-much-upon-the-approach-of/) [William Shenstone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shenstone/) > [The most congenial social occasions are those ruled by cheerful deference of each for all.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/the-most-congenial-social-occasions-are-those-ruled-by-cheerful/) [Johann Wolfgang von Goethe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/) > [The affairs of the world are no more than so much trickery, and a man who toils for money or honour or whatever else…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/the-affairs-of-the-world-are-no-more-than-so-much-trickery-and-a-man/) [Johann Wolfgang von Goethe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/) > [There is a form of eminence which does not depend on fate; it is an air which sets us apart and seems to prtend…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francois-de-la-rochefoucauld/there-is-a-form-of-eminence-which-does-not-depend-on-fate-it-is-an/) [Francois de La Rochefoucauld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francois-de-la-rochefoucauld/) > [“He has that quiet deference, that look of pleased, attentive interest, in listening to a woman, which, say what we may, we can none…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wilkie-collins/he-has-that-quiet-deference-that-look-of-pleased-attentive-interest/) [Wilkie Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wilkie-collins/) > [There are very many characteristics which go into making a model civil servant. Prominent among them are probity, industry, good sense, good habits, good…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chester-a-arthur/there-are-very-many-characteristics-which-go-into-making-a-model/) [Chester A. Arthur](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chester-a-arthur/) > [The bonds between ourselves and another person exists only in our minds. Memory as it grows fainter loosens them, and notwithstanding the illusion by…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcel-proust/the-bonds-between-ourselves-and-another-person-exists-only-in-our/) [Marcel Proust](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcel-proust/) > [It was before Vatican II and the liberalization of church doctrine. You weren't meant to eat meat on Friday in deference to Christ, who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-durang/it-was-before-vatican-ii-and-the-liberalization-of-church-doctrine/) [Christopher Durang](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-durang/) > [It is important that Miers not be confirmed unless, in her 61st year, she suddenly and unexpectedly is found to have hitherto undisclosed interests…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-will/it-is-important-that-miers-not-be-confirmed-unless-in-her-61st-year/) [George Will](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-will/) ## 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 Code quotes > [At the deepest level, all living things that have ever been looked at have the same DNA code. 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