--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: FREEBOOTER, n. A conqueror in a small way…" description: "\"FREEBOOTER, n. A conqueror in a small way of business, whose annexations lack of the sanctifying merit of magnitude.\" — Ambrose Bierce" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/99a/ambrose-bierce-140_annexation_freebooter-n-a-conqueror-in-a-small-way_2474353.jpg" --- # FREEBOOTER, n. A conqueror in a small way of business… ![“FREEBOOTER, n. A conqueror in a small way of business, whose annexations lack of the sanctifying merit of magnitude.” quote by Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/99a/ambrose-bierce-140_annexation_freebooter-n-a-conqueror-in-a-small-way_2474353.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/99a/ambrose-bierce-140_annexation_freebooter-n-a-conqueror-in-a-small-way_2474353.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/99a/ambrose-bierce-140_annexation_freebooter-n-a-conqueror-in-a-small-way_2474353.jpg) > “FREEBOOTER, n. A conqueror in a small way of business, whose annexations lack of the sanctifying merit of magnitude.” [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 small‑scale business conqueror lacks the noble merit of large magnitude. **In simple terms:** Small business success may lack grand significance. Key Takeaway Recognize the limits of modest ambitions. Themes business ambition scale ethics Mood skeptical analytical Type literary critical When to use this quote - startup planning - market analysis - ethical decision making - leadership Key Concepts economics philosophy entrepreneurship Questions to Reflect On - Is scale the only measure of merit? - How can small ventures create lasting impact? A Different Perspective Small successes can still be meaningful. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Annexation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/annexation/) [Annexations Lack](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/annexations-lack-794456/) [Business](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/business/) [Conqueror](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/conqueror/) [Conqueror Small](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/conqueror-small-794455/) [Freebooter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/freebooter-794453/) [Freebooter Conqueror](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/freebooter-conqueror-794454/) [Lack Sanctifying](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lack-sanctifying-794457/) [Magnitude](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/magnitude/) [Merit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/merit/) [Way](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/way/) ## Related quotes > [The G7 and former G8 group has always viewed itself as a community of values, the annexation of Crimea, which is a blatant violation…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/angela-merkel/the-g7-and-former-g8-group-has-always-viewed-itself-as-a-community-of/) [Angela Merkel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/angela-merkel/) > [ Generally the officers of the army were indifferent whether the annexation \[of Texas\] was consummated or not; but not so all of them. For… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ulysses-s-grant/generally-the-officers-of-the-army-were-indifferent-whether-the/) [Ulysses S. Grant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ulysses-s-grant/) > [“The movement to join Washington had a substantial following in the 1850s, centred in Montreal...It faced considerable resistance, though - in part because the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/doug-saunders/the-movement-to-join-washington-had-a-substantial-following-in-the/) [Doug Saunders](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/doug-saunders/) > [Annexation is probably the most valuable tool a city has to ensure orderly growth and development.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-hawkins/annexation-is-probably-the-most-valuable-tool-a-city-has-to-ensure/) [Jeff Hawkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-hawkins/) > [I'm very pleased this military engagement together with a political road map that we developed, we were able to continue. We want to bring…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/angela-merkel/i-m-very-pleased-this-military-engagement-together-with-a-political/) [Angela Merkel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/angela-merkel/) > [“When you grow up knowing that you deserve to be on top, that the lesser houses exist to serve your house’s glorious destiny, you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ann-leckie/when-you-grow-up-knowing-that-you-deserve-to-be-on-top-that-the-2/) [Ann Leckie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ann-leckie/) > [We must annex those people. We can afflict them with our wise and beneficent government. We can introduce the novelty of thieves, all the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-twain/we-must-annex-those-people-we-can-afflict-them-with-our-wise-and/) [Mark Twain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-twain/) > [“If the Palestinian people really wish to decide that they will battle to the very end to prevent partition or annexation of even an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-hitchens/if-the-palestinian-people-really-wish-to-decide-that-they-will-battle/) [Christopher Hitchens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-hitchens/) > [As humanism begins to dominate the state, the consequence is complete hostile annexation of the church or persecution by separation. Religion is then removed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erik-von-kuehnelt-leddihn/as-humanism-begins-to-dominate-the-state-the-consequence-is-complete/) [Erik von Kuehnelt-Leddihn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erik-von-kuehnelt-leddihn/) > [In the short term, it would not have made it possible to resume relations, because in the Chinese mind, the humiliation of China started…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-a-kissinger/in-the-short-term-it-would-not-have-made-it-possible-to-resume/) [Henry A. Kissinger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-a-kissinger/) > [We believe that settlement expansion policies pursued in recent decades by successive Israeli governments have facilitated the process of de-facto annexation. It has complicated…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-maurer/we-believe-that-settlement-expansion-policies-pursued-in-recent/) [Peter Maurer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-maurer/) > [I not only rejoice, but congratulate my beloved country Texas is reannexed, and the safety, prosperity, and the greatest interest of the whole Union…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-jackson/i-not-only-rejoice-but-congratulate-my-beloved-country-texas-is/) [Andrew Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-jackson/) > [I perhaps ought to say that individually I never was much interested in the Texas question. I never could see much good to come…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/i-perhaps-ought-to-say-that-individually-i-never-was-much-interested/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [The 1898 annexation of the Hawaiian Islands merely formally recognized what had long been American domination.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-macmillan/the-1898-annexation-of-the-hawaiian-islands-merely-formally/) [Margaret MacMillan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-macmillan/) > [There are probably 400 to 500 people, water protectors, north of the 1889 boundary, that was the result of an illegal annexation of treaty…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chase-iron-eyes/there-are-probably-400-to-500-people-water-protectors-north-of-the/) [Chase Iron Eyes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chase-iron-eyes/) ## 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 Annexation quotes > [The G7 and former G8 group has always viewed itself as a community of values, the annexation of Crimea, which is a blatant violation…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/angela-merkel/the-g7-and-former-g8-group-has-always-viewed-itself-as-a-community-of/) [Angela Merkel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/angela-merkel/) > [The 1898 annexation of the Hawaiian Islands merely formally recognized what had long been American domination.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-macmillan/the-1898-annexation-of-the-hawaiian-islands-merely-formally/) [Margaret MacMillan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-macmillan/) > [I perhaps ought to say that individually I never was much interested in the Texas question. I never could see much good to come…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/i-perhaps-ought-to-say-that-individually-i-never-was-much-interested/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [I not only rejoice, but congratulate my beloved country Texas is reannexed, and the safety, prosperity, and the greatest interest of the whole Union…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-jackson/i-not-only-rejoice-but-congratulate-my-beloved-country-texas-is/) [Andrew Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-jackson/) > [We believe that settlement expansion policies pursued in recent decades by successive Israeli governments have facilitated the process of de-facto annexation. It has complicated…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-maurer/we-believe-that-settlement-expansion-policies-pursued-in-recent/) [Peter Maurer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-maurer/) > [In the short term, it would not have made it possible to resume relations, because in the Chinese mind, the humiliation of China started…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-a-kissinger/in-the-short-term-it-would-not-have-made-it-possible-to-resume/) [Henry A. Kissinger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-a-kissinger/) > [As humanism begins to dominate the state, the consequence is complete hostile annexation of the church or persecution by separation. Religion is then removed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erik-von-kuehnelt-leddihn/as-humanism-begins-to-dominate-the-state-the-consequence-is-complete/) [Erik von Kuehnelt-Leddihn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erik-von-kuehnelt-leddihn/) > [“If the Palestinian people really wish to decide that they will battle to the very end to prevent partition or annexation of even an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-hitchens/if-the-palestinian-people-really-wish-to-decide-that-they-will-battle/) [Christopher Hitchens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-hitchens/) > [We must annex those people. We can afflict them with our wise and beneficent government. We can introduce the novelty of thieves, all the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-twain/we-must-annex-those-people-we-can-afflict-them-with-our-wise-and/) [Mark Twain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-twain/) > [“When you grow up knowing that you deserve to be on top, that the lesser houses exist to serve your house’s glorious destiny, you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ann-leckie/when-you-grow-up-knowing-that-you-deserve-to-be-on-top-that-the-2/) [Ann Leckie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ann-leckie/) > [I'm very pleased this military engagement together with a political road map that we developed, we were able to continue. We want to bring…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/angela-merkel/i-m-very-pleased-this-military-engagement-together-with-a-political/) [Angela Merkel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/angela-merkel/) > [Annexation is probably the most valuable tool a city has to ensure orderly growth and development.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-hawkins/annexation-is-probably-the-most-valuable-tool-a-city-has-to-ensure/) [Jeff Hawkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-hawkins/) > [“The movement to join Washington had a substantial following in the 1850s, centred in Montreal...It faced considerable resistance, though - in part because the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/doug-saunders/the-movement-to-join-washington-had-a-substantial-following-in-the/) [Doug Saunders](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/doug-saunders/) > [ Generally the officers of the army were indifferent whether the annexation \[of Texas\] was consummated or not; but not so all of them. For… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ulysses-s-grant/generally-the-officers-of-the-army-were-indifferent-whether-the/) [Ulysses S. Grant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ulysses-s-grant/) > [There are probably 400 to 500 people, water protectors, north of the 1889 boundary, that was the result of an illegal annexation of treaty…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chase-iron-eyes/there-are-probably-400-to-500-people-water-protectors-north-of-the/) [Chase Iron Eyes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chase-iron-eyes/) [Browse all 17 Annexation quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/annexation/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "FREEBOOTER, n. 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