--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: EXECUTIVE, n. An officer of the…" description: "\"EXECUTIVE, n. An officer of the Government, whose duty it is to enforce the wishes of the legislative power until such time as the judicial department ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9a6/ambrose-bierce-140_department_executive-n-an-officer-of-the-government_1912204.jpg" --- # EXECUTIVE, n. An officer of the Government, whose duty it… ![“EXECUTIVE, n. An officer of the Government, whose duty it is to enforce the wishes of the legislative power until such time as the judicial department shall be pleased to pronounce them invalid and of no effect.” quote by Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9a6/ambrose-bierce-140_department_executive-n-an-officer-of-the-government_1912204.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9a6/ambrose-bierce-140_department_executive-n-an-officer-of-the-government_1912204.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9a6/ambrose-bierce-140_department_executive-n-an-officer-of-the-government_1912204.jpg) > “EXECUTIVE, n. An officer of the Government, whose duty it is to enforce the wishes of the legislative power until such time as the judicial department shall be pleased to pronounce them invalid and of no effect.” [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 of an executive as a bureaucratic enforcer whose authority is ultimately subject to judicial invalidation. **In simple terms:** Executives enforce law but can be overruled. Key Takeaway Question authority and its limits. Themes politics bureaucracy law Mood cynical witty Type satirical political When to use this quote - government work - legal review - policy implementation Key Concepts authority checks and balances Questions to Reflect On - How does oversight protect democracy? - When should executives be challenged? A Different Perspective Power can be illusory and contested. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Constitution](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/constitution/) [Duty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/duty/) [Executive](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/executive/) [Executives](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/executives/) [Government](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/government/) [Judicial](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/judicial/) [Officers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/officers/) [Politics](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/politics/) [Power](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/power/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) [Wish](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wish/) ## Related quotes > [EXECUTIVE, n. An officer of the Government, whose duty it is to enforce the wishes of the legislative power until such time as the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/executive-n-an-officer-of-the-government-whose-duty-it-is-to-enforce/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [At the heart of any good business is a chief executive officer with one.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malcolm-forbes/at-the-heart-of-any-good-business-is-a-chief-executive-officer-with/) [Malcolm Forbes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malcolm-forbes/) > [Such an executive officer the sun never shone on. I have but to show him my design, and I know that it can be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-e-lee/such-an-executive-officer-the-sun-never-shone-on-i-have-but-to-show/) [Robert E. Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-e-lee/) > [An inadequate chief executive officer's time at the top is always too long no matter how short.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malcolm-forbes/an-inadequate-chief-executive-officer-s-time-at-the-top-is-always-too/) [Malcolm Forbes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malcolm-forbes/) > [Our Founding Fathers created the Executive Branch to implement and enforce the laws written by Congress, and vested this power in the president.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-rice/our-founding-fathers-created-the-executive-branch-to-implement-and/) Tom Rice > [The chief executive officer is also the chief sales officer. He or she is responsible for the success of the company and making a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeffrey-gitomer/the-chief-executive-officer-is-also-the-chief-sales-officer-he-or-she/) [Jeffrey Gitomer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeffrey-gitomer/) > [In the fall of the year 2000, there just happened to be a decision point when they asked me to become Chief Executive Officer…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeffrey-skilling/in-the-fall-of-the-year-2000-there-just-happened-to-be-a-decision/) [Jeffrey Skilling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeffrey-skilling/) > [I was 25 when I was made director of marketing at 'Newsweek.' I was 29 when I was made chief executive officer of Kaplan…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-grayer/i-was-25-when-i-was-made-director-of-marketing-at-newsweek-i-was-29/) [Jonathan Grayer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-grayer/) > [Instead of fostering the kind of dialogue in the boardroom that has in part contributed to our success, the board has inappropriately chosen to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-zimmer/instead-of-fostering-the-kind-of-dialogue-in-the-boardroom-that-has/) [George Zimmer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-zimmer/) > [When a company seeks a new chief executive officer, or a university a new vice-chancellor, enormous trouble is taken to find the best person.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-dawkins/when-a-company-seeks-a-new-chief-executive-officer-or-a-university-a/) [Richard Dawkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-dawkins/) > [I'm Chief Executive Officer at Art of the Olympians Museum in Fort Myers, Florida, which was founded by my Mexico City teammate Al Oerter…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-beamon/i-m-chief-executive-officer-at-art-of-the-olympians-museum-in-fort/) [Bob Beamon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-beamon/) > [As a practising lawyer, I was mediocre, but I worked hard as a law officer of the state government and on the private side.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/p-sathasivam/as-a-practising-lawyer-i-was-mediocre-but-i-worked-hard-as-a-law/) P. Sathasivam > [It is the union of independence and dependence of these branches - legislative, executive and judicial - and of the governmental functions possessed by…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-reuben-clark/it-is-the-union-of-independence-and-dependence-of-these-branches/) [J. Reuben Clark](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-reuben-clark/) > [The people in general ought to have regard to the moral character of those whom they invest with authority either in the legislative, executive,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-witherspoon/the-people-in-general-ought-to-have-regard-to-the-moral-character-of/) [John Witherspoon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-witherspoon/) > [“A blanket could be used to lay down the law. Lay it down over there, on top of the bed, and I’ll come over…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jarod-kintz/a-blanket-could-be-used-to-lay-down-the-law-lay-it-down-over-there-on/) [Jarod Kintz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jarod-kintz/) ## 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 Constitution quotes > [ Next came the Patent laws. These began in England in 1624; and, in this country, with the adoption of our constitution. Before then \[these?\],… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/next-came-the-patent-laws-these-began-in-england-in-1624-and-in-this/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [“In American terms, the accomplishment of Genghis Khan might be understood if the United States, instead of being created by a group of educated…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-weatherford/in-american-terms-the-accomplishment-of-genghis-khan-might-be/) [Jack Weatherford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-weatherford/) > [In this choice of inheritance we have given to our frame of polity the image of a relation in blood; binding up the constitution…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edmund-burke/in-this-choice-of-inheritance-we-have-given-to-our-frame-of-polity/) [Edmund Burke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edmund-burke/) > [As for doing good; that is one of the professions which is full. Moreover I have tried it fairly and, strange as it may…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-david-thoreau/as-for-doing-good-that-is-one-of-the-professions-which-is-full/) [Henry David Thoreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-david-thoreau/) > [While not widely reported, our victories in Iraq are plentiful. National elections, a democratic parliament and the drafting of a constitution are just some…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-gillmor/while-not-widely-reported-our-victories-in-iraq-are-plentiful/) [Paul Gillmor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-gillmor/) > [In a recent decision of the Supreme Court, not made, however, by the full court, and concurred in by only four justices, it was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-bates-clark/in-a-recent-decision-of-the-supreme-court-not-made-however-by-the/) [John Bates Clark](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-bates-clark/) > [The judiciary must not take on the coloration of whatever may be popular at the moment. We are guardian of rights, and we have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rose-bird/the-judiciary-must-not-take-on-the-coloration-of-whatever-may-be/) [Rose Bird](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rose-bird/) > [There is not a revolution that succe Women are suffering because they are being excluded. The high military council excluded women from the committee…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nawal-el-saadawi/there-is-not-a-revolution-that-succe-women-are-suffering-because-they/) [Nawal El Saadawi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nawal-el-saadawi/) > [Free government is founded in jealousy, and not in confidence; it is jealousy, and not confidence, which prescribes limited constitutions, to bind down those…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/free-government-is-founded-in-jealousy-and-not-in-confidence-it-is/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [The American Constitution declares 'All men are born equal.' The British Socialist Party add: 'All men must be kept equal'.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/winston-churchill/the-american-constitution-declares-all-men-are-born-equal-the-british/) [Winston Churchill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/winston-churchill/) > [“The Court has a special responsibility to ensure that the Constitution works in practice. While education, including the transmission of our civic values from…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-breyer/the-court-has-a-special-responsibility-to-ensure-that-the/) [Stephen Breyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-breyer/) > [The Constitution is very clear on the - on the declaration of war or reacting to international crimes - crimes against nations. It is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-pitts/the-constitution-is-very-clear-on-the-on-the-declaration-of-war-or/) Joe Pitts > [Nothing from man's hands, nor law, nor constitution, can be final. Truth alone is final.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-sumner/nothing-from-man-s-hands-nor-law-nor-constitution-can-be-final-truth/) [Charles Sumner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-sumner/) > [“I am apprehensive, Sir, that in the warmth of my feelings, I may have uttered expressions, which were too vehement. If such has been…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-hamilton/i-am-apprehensive-sir-that-in-the-warmth-of-my-feelings-i-may-have/) [Alexander Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-hamilton/) > [Conservative political opinion in America cleaves to the tradition of the judge as passive interpreter, believing that his absolute loyalty to authoritative law is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/learned-hand/conservative-political-opinion-in-america-cleaves-to-the-tradition-of/) [Learned Hand](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/learned-hand/) [Browse all 4,507 Constitution quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/constitution/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "EXECUTIVE, n. An officer of the Government, whose duty it is to enforce the wishes of the legislative power until such time as the judicial department shall be pleased to pronounce them invalid and of no effect.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Ambrose Bierce" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/executive-n-an-officer-of-the-government-whose-duty-it-is-to-enforce-2/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Constitution" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/executive-n-an-officer-of-the-government-whose-duty-it-is-to-enforce-2/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9a6/ambrose-bierce-140_department_executive-n-an-officer-of-the-government_1912204.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9a6/ambrose-bierce-140_department_executive-n-an-officer-of-the-government_1912204.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9a6/ambrose-bierce-140_department_executive-n-an-officer-of-the-government_1912204.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“EXECUTIVE, n. An officer of the Government, whose duty it is to enforce the wishes of the legislative power…” — Ambrose Bierce", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Ambrose Bierce", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "EXECUTIVE, n. An officer of the...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/executive-n-an-officer-of-the-government-whose-duty-it-is-to-enforce-2/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/executive-n-an-officer-of-the-government-whose-duty-it-is-to-enforce-2/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```