--- 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/6a0/ambrose-bierce-140_books_executive-n-an-officer-of-the-government_728861.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. Following is an extract from an old book entitled, _The Lunarian Astonished_…” quote by Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6a0/ambrose-bierce-140_books_executive-n-an-officer-of-the-government_728861.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6a0/ambrose-bierce-140_books_executive-n-an-officer-of-the-government_728861.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6a0/ambrose-bierce-140_books_executive-n-an-officer-of-the-government_728861.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. Following is an extract from an old book entitled, \_The Lunarian Astonished\_ --Pfeiffer & Co., Boston, 1803: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. Following is an extract from an old book entitled, \_The Lunarian Astonished\_ --Pfeiffer & Co., Boston, 1803: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. Following is an extract from an old book entitled, \_The Lunarian Astonished\_ --Pfeiffer & Co., Boston, 1803:EXECUTIVE, n. An officer of” [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. An executive is defined as a government officer who enforces legislative wishes until the judiciary declares them invalid. **In simple terms:** An executive enforces laws until courts overturn them. Key Takeaway Recognize limits of authority. Themes government law authority checks and balances Mood critical analytical Type definition historical When to use this quote - policy implementation - court challenges - legislative drafting Key Concepts bureaucracy legal theory separation of powers Questions to Reflect On - How do checks and balances affect executive power? - When should executives defer to courts? A Different Perspective Authority can be overridden by judicial review. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [1803 Executive](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/1803-executive-5714591/) [Books](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/books/) [Constitution](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/constitution/) [Executive](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/executive/) [Executive Officer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/executive-officer-2758567/) [Government](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/government/) [Officer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/officer/) [Officer Government](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/officer-government-2886719/) [Politics](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/politics/) ## 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-2/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [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/) > [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/) > [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/) > [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/) > [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/) > [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/) > [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/) > [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/) > [Behind every piece of bad content is an executive who asked for it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-brenner/behind-every-piece-of-bad-content-is-an-executive-who-asked-for-it/) [Michael Brenner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-brenner/) > [Well, executive producer can mean anything in the world of Hollywood, sadly. It can be a bought title in many instances.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-stanton/well-executive-producer-can-mean-anything-in-the-world-of-hollywood/) [Andrew Stanton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-stanton/) > [No executive has ever suffered because his subordinates were strong and effective.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-drucker/no-executive-has-ever-suffered-because-his-subordinates-were-strong/) [Peter Drucker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-drucker/) > [I am strongly opposed to any form of amnesty, including, especially, executive amnesty.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-scalise/i-am-strongly-opposed-to-any-form-of-amnesty-including-especially/) [Steve Scalise](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-scalise/) > [Be patient and stay grounded. Everybody gets a chance, but you have to stand out. If an executive was out looking for new talent,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lil-chuckee/be-patient-and-stay-grounded-everybody-gets-a-chance-but-you-have-to/) [Lil Chuckee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lil-chuckee/) ## 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 Books quotes > [I think a new world will arise out of the religious mists when we approach our Bible with the idea that it is not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aiden-wilson-tozer/i-think-a-new-world-will-arise-out-of-the-religious-mists-when-we/) [Aiden Wilson Tozer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aiden-wilson-tozer/) > [If I had a dollar for every time I couldn’t sleep, I could buy a billion locks and finally read a book in peace.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aesop-rock/if-i-had-a-dollar-for-every-time-i-couldn-t-sleep-i-could-buy-a/) [Aesop Rock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aesop-rock/) > [If what I write is literature, I guess you'd better emphasize the 'litter.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lydia-lunch/if-what-i-write-is-literature-i-guess-you-d-better-emphasize-the/) [Lydia Lunch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lydia-lunch/) > [My sentences got sharper and my stories more efficient, and I gradually learned to imagine the reader more clearly and to empathize with that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karen-thompson-walker/my-sentences-got-sharper-and-my-stories-more-efficient-and-i/) [Karen Thompson Walker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karen-thompson-walker/) > [Young men, especially in America, write to me and ask me to recommend “a course of reading.” Distrust a course of reading! People who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-lang/young-men-especially-in-america-write-to-me-and-ask-me-to-recommend-a/) [Andrew Lang](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-lang/) > [“Within the pages of books, I've journeyed to Mandalay, the Milky Way and Santa Fe, without once having to leave my armchair.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-ansbro/within-the-pages-of-books-i-ve-journeyed-to-mandalay-the-milky-way/) [Kevin Ansbro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-ansbro/) > [The Rosary is the book of the blind.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fulton-j-sheen/the-rosary-is-the-book-of-the-blind/) [Fulton J. Sheen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fulton-j-sheen/) > [“Tacitus did not write a most dangerous book. His readers made it so.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-k-krebs/tacitus-did-not-write-a-most-dangerous-book-his-readers-made-it-so/) [Christopher K. 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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. Following is an extract from an old book entitled, _The Lunarian Astonished_ --Pfeiffer & Co., Boston, 1803: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. Following is an extract from an old book entitled, _The Lunarian Astonished_ --Pfeiffer & Co., Boston, 1803:EXECUTIVE, n. 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