---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: EMOTION, n. A prostrating disease caused…"
description: "\"EMOTION, n. A prostrating disease caused by a determination of the heart to the head. It is sometimes accompanied by a copious discharge of hydrated ch..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/80c/ambrose-bierce-140_determination_emotion-n-a-prostrating-disease-caused-b_1028377.jpg"
---

#  EMOTION, n. A prostrating disease caused by a…

![“EMOTION, n. A prostrating disease caused by a determination of the heart to the head. It is sometimes accompanied by a copious discharge of hydrated chloride of sodium from the eyes.” quote by Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/80c/ambrose-bierce-140_determination_emotion-n-a-prostrating-disease-caused-b_1028377.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/80c/ambrose-bierce-140_determination_emotion-n-a-prostrating-disease-caused-b_1028377.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/80c/ambrose-bierce-140_determination_emotion-n-a-prostrating-disease-caused-b_1028377.jpg)

> “EMOTION, n. A prostrating disease caused by a determination of the heart to the head. It is sometimes accompanied by a copious discharge of hydrated chloride of sodium from the eyes.”

[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 emotion as a disease where the heart’s will overwhelms reason, causing tears.

**In simple terms:** Emotion is a heart‑driven illness.

Key Takeaway

Recognize when feelings dominate reason.

Themes

psychology language humor

Mood

wry ironic

Type

satirical definition

When to use this quote

- personal conflict
- creative writing
- mental health

Key Concepts

satire physiology

Questions to Reflect On

- How do you balance feeling and logic?
- When is emotion helpful?

A Different Perspective

Humor may trivialize genuine pain.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Determination](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/determination/) [Disease](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/disease/) [Emotion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/emotion/) [Emotional](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/emotional/) [Heart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/heart/)

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> [The rotation of the polarization plane is extraordinarily small in all gases, thus also in sodium vapour.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pieter-zeeman/the-rotation-of-the-polarization-plane-is-extraordinarily-small-in/)

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> [I try to identify myself with the atoms ... I ask what I would do If I were a carbon atom or a sodium atom.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/linus-pauling/i-try-to-identify-myself-with-the-atoms-i-ask-what-i-would-do-if-i/)

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> [I ordered a soda - caffeine-free, low sodium, no artificial flavors. They brought me a glass of water.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-e-murray/i-ordered-a-soda-caffeine-free-low-sodium-no-artificial-flavors-they/)

[Robert E. Murray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-e-murray/)

> [So many social changes are as irreversible as the reaction when sodium is thrown into water.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gunnar-myrdal/so-many-social-changes-are-as-irreversible-as-the-reaction-when/)

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[LL Cool J](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ll-cool-j/)

## 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/)

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> [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/)

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[Explore all 1,157 Ambrose Bierce quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/)

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