--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: DECALOGUE, n. A series of commandments…" description: "\"DECALOGUE, n. A series of commandments, ten in number --just enough to permit an intelligent selection for observance, but not enough to embarrass the ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/648/ambrose-bierce-140_false-witness_decalogue-n-a-series-of-commandments-ten_2200571.jpg" --- # DECALOGUE, n. A series of commandments, ten in number… ![“DECALOGUE, n. A series of commandments, ten in number --just enough to permit an intelligent selection for observance, but not enough to embarrass the choice. Following is the revised edition of the Decalogue, calculated for this meridian. Thou shalt no God but me adore: 'Twere too expensive to…” quote by Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/648/ambrose-bierce-140_false-witness_decalogue-n-a-series-of-commandments-ten_2200571.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/648/ambrose-bierce-140_false-witness_decalogue-n-a-series-of-commandments-ten_2200571.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/648/ambrose-bierce-140_false-witness_decalogue-n-a-series-of-commandments-ten_2200571.jpg) > “DECALOGUE, n. A series of commandments, ten in number --just enough to permit an intelligent selection for observance, but not enough to embarrass the choice. Following is the revised edition of the Decalogue, calculated for this meridian. Thou shalt no God but me adore: 'Twere too expensive to have more. No images nor idols make For Robert Ingersoll to break. Take not God's name in vain; select A time when it will have effect. Work not on Sabbath days at all, But go to see the teams play ball. Honor thy parents. That creates For life insurance lower rates. Kill not, abet not those who kill; Thou shalt not pay thy butcher's bill. Kiss not thy neighbor's wife, unless Thine own thy neighbor doth caress Don't steal; thou'lt never thus compete Successfully in business. Cheat. Bear not false witness --that is low -- But hear 'tis rumored so and so. Cover thou naught that thou hast not By hook or crook, or somehow, got. --G.J.” [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 re‑imagining of the Ten Commandments that twists moral rules into self‑interest and absurdity. **In simple terms:** Satire turns commandments into selfish advice. Key Takeaway Question the motives behind moral rules. Themes satire morality humor critique self‑interest Mood ironic critical wry Type satirical philosophical cautionary When to use this quote - political speeches - corporate ethics - personal decision‑making - legal compliance Key Concepts ethical relativism social commentary absurdism Questions to Reflect On - How does humor reveal hidden selfishness? - When does satire become cynicism? A Different Perspective Satire may obscure genuine moral reflection. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Commandments](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/commandments/) [False witness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/false-witness/) [Parents](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/parents/) [Robert Ingersoll](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/robert-ingersoll-2/) ## Related quotes > [DECALOGUE, n. A series of commandments, ten in number - just enough to permit an intelligent selection for observance, but not enough to embarrass…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/decalogue-n-a-series-of-commandments-ten-in-number-just-enough-to-2/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [In the right hands, literature is not resorted to as a consolation, and by the broken and decayed, but as a decalogue.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/in-the-right-hands-literature-is-not-resorted-to-as-a-consolation-and/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [Men who can hear the Decalogue, and feel To self-reproach.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-wordsworth/men-who-can-hear-the-decalogue-and-feel-to-self-reproach/) [William Wordsworth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-wordsworth/) > [“The Decalogue is not negative law in any sense whatsoever. The Decalogue is not taking anything away from human beings. The Decalogue is God's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gerhard-f-hasel/the-decalogue-is-not-negative-law-in-any-sense-whatsoever-the/) Gerhard F. Hasel > [“{ Stockton, a playwright who performed plays about Robert Ingersoll , gives the four moments in Ingersoll 's life that shaped him, first being…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-f-stockton/stockton-a-playwright-who-performed-plays-about-robert-ingersoll/) Richard F. Stockton > [“The name of Robert G. Ingersoll is in the pantheon of the world. More than any other man who ever lived he destroyed religious…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eugene-victor-debs/the-name-of-robert-g-ingersoll-is-in-the-pantheon-of-the-world-more/) Eugene Victor Debs > [“ Robert Ingersoll 's character was as nearly perfect as it is possible for the character of mortal man to be... none sweeter or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-spalding-thomas/robert-ingersoll-s-character-was-as-nearly-perfect-as-it-is-possible/) Charles Spalding Thomas > [“{Debbs' letter to Robert Ingersoll 's granddaughter} I was the friend of your immortal grandfather and I loved him truly… the name of Ingersoll…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eugene-victor-debs/debbs-letter-to-robert-ingersoll-s-granddaughter-i-was-the-friend-of/) Eugene Victor Debs > [“The future historian will rank him as one of the heroes of the nineteenth century. {Stanton's opinion of the great Robert Ingersoll }”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-cady-stanton/the-future-historian-will-rank-him-as-one-of-the-heroes-of-the/) [Elizabeth Cady Stanton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-cady-stanton/) > [“{ Letter from Fawcett to the great Robert Ingersoll , 1894 } I do so wish, that, in all these big questions, literary men…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edgar-fawcett/letter-from-fawcett-to-the-great-robert-ingersoll-1894-i-do-so-wish/) Edgar Fawcett > [“In the campaign of 1876, Robert G. Ingersoll came to Madison to speak. I had heard of him for years; when I was a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-m-la-follette/in-the-campaign-of-1876-robert-g-ingersoll-came-to-madison-to-speak-i/) Robert M. La Follette > [“The death of Robert G. Ingersoll , on July 21, 1899, was one of the most widely -- noted events of that year in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herman-e-kittredge/the-death-of-robert-g-ingersoll-on-july-21-1899-was-one-of-the-most/) [Herman E. Kittredge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herman-e-kittredge/) > [“{Letter from Debbs to Eva Ingersoll, husband of Robert Ingersoll , just after the news of Robert's death} We were inexpressibly shocked to hear…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eugene-v-debs/letter-from-debbs-to-eva-ingersoll-husband-of-robert-ingersoll-just/) [Eugene V. Debs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eugene-v-debs/) > [“ Robert G. Ingersoll was a great man. a wonderful intellect, a great soul of matchless courage, one of the great men of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clarence-darrow/robert-g-ingersoll-was-a-great-man-a-wonderful-intellect-a-great-soul/) [Clarence Darrow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clarence-darrow/) > [“One of the bravest, grandest champions of human liberty the world has ever seen. {Darrow on the great Robert Ingersoll }”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clarence-darrow/one-of-the-bravest-grandest-champions-of-human-liberty-the-world-has/) [Clarence Darrow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clarence-darrow/) ## 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 Commandments quotes > [The truth is, of course, that the curtness of the Ten Commandments is an evidence, not of the gloom and narrowness of a religion,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-truth-is-of-course-that-the-curtness-of-the-ten-commandments-is/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [May God bless each of us in our calls to serve. May our faith strengthen as we serve in righteousness, faithfully keeping the commandments.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/l-tom-perry/may-god-bless-each-of-us-in-our-calls-to-serve-may-our-faith/) [L. Tom Perry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/l-tom-perry/) > [The Ten Commandments don't tell you what you ought to do: They only put ideas into your head.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-bibesco/the-ten-commandments-don-t-tell-you-what-you-ought-to-do-they-only/) [Elizabeth Bibesco](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-bibesco/) > [“You do not need commandments to tell you what is right and wrong, you need reason. YOU NEED TO THINK. What are the consequences…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kassandra-dick/you-do-not-need-commandments-to-tell-you-what-is-right-and-wrong-you/) Kassandra Dick > [“Those that truly love God will make it their constant care and endeavour to keep his commandments, particularly those that relate to his worship.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matthew-henry/those-that-truly-love-god-will-make-it-their-constant-care-and/) [Matthew Henry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matthew-henry/) > [In tantra we don't believe in commandments. We believe in the moment and the truth that is applicable for that moment, as best we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/in-tantra-we-don-t-believe-in-commandments-we-believe-in-the-moment/) [Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/) > [In my book I specifically discussed the structural nature of injustice and offered Nine Touchstones of Goddess ethics as an alternative to the Ten…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carol-p-christ/in-my-book-i-specifically-discussed-the-structural-nature-of/) [Carol P. Christ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carol-p-christ/) > [You know what they say: if God had been a Liberal, we wouldn't have had the ten commandments. We'd have had the ten suggestions](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/you-know-what-they-say-if-god-had-been-a-liberal-we-wouldn-t-have-had/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [My plea therefore is this: Let us get our instruments tightly strung and our melodies sweetly sung. Let us not die with our music…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/spencer-w-kimball/my-plea-therefore-is-this-let-us-get-our-instruments-tightly-strung/) [Spencer W. Kimball](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/spencer-w-kimball/) > [For what will it profit men that a more prudent distribution and use of riches make it possible for them to gain even the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-pius-xi/for-what-will-it-profit-men-that-a-more-prudent-distribution-and-use/) [Pope Pius XI](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-pius-xi/) > [ “the precepts of an absolutely perfect life, since they are the same in each Testament, have pointed out \[to us\] the same God, who… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/the-church-fathers/the-precepts-of-an-absolutely-perfect-life-since-they-are-the-same-in/) The Church Fathers > [Here is your government at work. 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Fortner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-d-fortner/) [Browse all 726 Commandments quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/commandments/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "DECALOGUE, n. A series of commandments, ten in number --just enough to permit an intelligent selection for observance, but not enough to embarrass the choice. Following is the revised edition of the Decalogue, calculated for this meridian. Thou shalt no God but me adore: 'Twere too expensive to have more. No images nor idols make For Robert Ingersoll to break. Take not God's name in vain; select A time when it will have effect. Work not on Sabbath days at all, But go to see the teams play ball. Honor thy parents. That creates For life insurance lower rates. Kill not, abet not those who kill; Thou shalt not pay thy butcher's bill. Kiss not thy neighbor's wife, unless Thine own thy neighbor doth caress Don't steal; thou'lt never thus compete Successfully in business. Cheat. Bear not false witness --that is low -- But hear 'tis rumored so and so. Cover thou naught that thou hast not By hook or crook, or somehow, got. --G.J.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Ambrose Bierce" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/decalogue-n-a-series-of-commandments-ten-in-number-just-enough-to/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Commandments" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/decalogue-n-a-series-of-commandments-ten-in-number-just-enough-to/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/648/ambrose-bierce-140_false-witness_decalogue-n-a-series-of-commandments-ten_2200571.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/648/ambrose-bierce-140_false-witness_decalogue-n-a-series-of-commandments-ten_2200571.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/648/ambrose-bierce-140_false-witness_decalogue-n-a-series-of-commandments-ten_2200571.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“DECALOGUE, n. 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