--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Grammar, n. A system of pitfalls…" description: "\"“ Grammar, n. A system of pitfalls thoughtfully prepared for the feet of the self-made man, along the path by which he advances to distinction.”\" — Amb..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f64/ambrose-bierce-140_grammar_grammar-n-a-system-of-pitfalls-thoughtfu_1589622.jpg" --- # Grammar, n. A system of pitfalls thoughtfully prepared for… ![“Grammar, n. A system of pitfalls thoughtfully prepared for the feet of the self-made man, along the path by which he advances to distinction.” quote by Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f64/ambrose-bierce-140_grammar_grammar-n-a-system-of-pitfalls-thoughtfu_1589622.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f64/ambrose-bierce-140_grammar_grammar-n-a-system-of-pitfalls-thoughtfu_1589622.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f64/ambrose-bierce-140_grammar_grammar-n-a-system-of-pitfalls-thoughtfu_1589622.jpg) > ““ Grammar, n. A system of pitfalls thoughtfully prepared for the feet of the self-made man, along the path by which he advances to distinction.”” [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. Grammar is humorously defined as a trap set for self‑made individuals striving for distinction **In simple terms:** Grammar is a trap for ambitious self‑made people Key Takeaway Question assumptions about language rules Themes language humor ambition critique Mood witty critical Type literary philosophical When to use this quote - writing workshops - education reform - personal development Key Concepts Linguistic prescriptivism self‑identity social mobility Questions to Reflect On - How do language rules shape self‑perception? - Can we balance precision with creativity? A Different Perspective May oversimplify complex linguistic dynamics ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Grammar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/grammar/) [Grammar Pitfalls](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/grammar-pitfalls-6022115/) [Humor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/humor/) [Language](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/language/) [Literacy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/literacy/) [Man Path](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/man-path-622133/) [Pitfalls](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pitfalls/) [Pitfalls Thoughtfully](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pitfalls-thoughtfully-4032140/) [Prepared Feet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/prepared-feet-1578130/) [Satire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/satire/) ## Related quotes > [A system of pitfalls thoughtfully prepared for the feet for the self-made man, along the path by which he advances to distinction.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/a-system-of-pitfalls-thoughtfully-prepared-for-the-feet-for-the-self/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [Everybody knows where I come from and how my jiu-jitsu is, training at Macaco Gold Team, but I also work on my striking at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-oliveira/everybody-knows-where-i-come-from-and-how-my-jiu-jitsu-is-training-at/) [Charles Oliveira](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-oliveira/) > [I realize today that nothing in the world is more distasteful to a man than to take the path that leads to himself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hermann-hesse/i-realize-today-that-nothing-in-the-world-is-more-distasteful-to-a/) [Hermann Hesse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hermann-hesse/) > [Civilization is that mode of conduct which points out to man the path of duty.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mahatma-gandhi/civilization-is-that-mode-of-conduct-which-points-out-to-man-the-path-2/) [Mahatma Gandhi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mahatma-gandhi/) > [Religion holds a man back from the path, prevents his stepping forward, for various very plain reasons. First, it makes the vital mistake of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mabel-collins/religion-holds-a-man-back-from-the-path-prevents-his-stepping-forward/) [Mabel Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mabel-collins/) > [Let each man take the path according to his capacity, understanding and temperament. His true guru will meet him along that path.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sivananda/let-each-man-take-the-path-according-to-his-capacity-understanding/) [Sivananda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sivananda/) > [Every man's path is for himself; let him accomplish his own desires that he may thus be able to rise above them to the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hazrat-inayat-khan/every-man-s-path-is-for-himself-let-him-accomplish-his-own-desires/) [Hazrat Inayat Khan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hazrat-inayat-khan/) > [“Man will be on the path to perfection when he feels that he is one with space that knows no bounds and with the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kahlil-gibran/man-will-be-on-the-path-to-perfection-when-he-feels-that-he-is-one/) [Kahlil Gibran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kahlil-gibran/) > [“Whoever is capable of not minding what others say, is a man on the path to wisdom”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paulo-coelho/whoever-is-capable-of-not-minding-what-others-say-is-a-man-on-the/) [Paulo Coelho](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paulo-coelho/) > [You know, it's just a matter of working through the pitfalls sometimes and working through the challenges that lie ahead.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kurt-busch/you-know-it-s-just-a-matter-of-working-through-the-pitfalls-sometimes/) [Kurt Busch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kurt-busch/) > [Good planning avoids the need for fixing up a project that plowed ahead without thought... about potential pitfalls.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bobby-knight/good-planning-avoids-the-need-for-fixing-up-a-project-that-plowed/) [Bobby Knight](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bobby-knight/) > [The more thou dost advance, the more thy feet pitfalls will meet. The Path that leadeth on is lighted by one fire - the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/h-p-blavatsky/the-more-thou-dost-advance-the-more-thy-feet-pitfalls-will-meet-the/) [H. P. Blavatsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/h-p-blavatsky/) > [There are pitfalls in World Cups, there are players who can win penalties and players who get the slightest touch and go down holding…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-owen/there-are-pitfalls-in-world-cups-there-are-players-who-can-win/) [Michael Owen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-owen/) > [I am well aware that the path of the biographer is beset with pitfalls, and that, for him, suppressio veri is almost necessarily suggestio…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stuart-dodgson-collingwood/i-am-well-aware-that-the-path-of-the-biographer-is-beset-with/) [Stuart Dodgson Collingwood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stuart-dodgson-collingwood/) > [I hate the stereotype of the pitfalls of the child actor. There are so many amazing examples - Natalie Portman, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Jodie Foster,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jamie-bell/i-hate-the-stereotype-of-the-pitfalls-of-the-child-actor-there-are-so/) [Jamie Bell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jamie-bell/) ## 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 Grammar quotes > [Ill-fitting grammar are like ill-fitting shoes. You can get used to it for a bit, but then one day your toes fall off and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jasper-fforde/ill-fitting-grammar-are-like-ill-fitting-shoes-you-can-get-used-to-it/) [Jasper Fforde](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jasper-fforde/) > [Ever since grammar school, I knew I wanted to be famous - I always wanted to be a singer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-hudson/ever-since-grammar-school-i-knew-i-wanted-to-be-famous-i-always/) [Jennifer Hudson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-hudson/) > [We have even done a weekend on Japanese grammar! Not that I know anything about Japanese grammar, but it was Kaz's idea, and it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joan-halifax/we-have-even-done-a-weekend-on-japanese-grammar-not-that-i-know/) [Joan Halifax](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joan-halifax/) > [The night is falling down around us. Meteors rain like fireworks, quick rips in the seam of the dark... Every second, another streak of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jodi-picoult/the-night-is-falling-down-around-us-meteors-rain-like-fireworks-quick/) [Jodi Picoult](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jodi-picoult/) > [A pronoun, too, will aptly reflect the number of its antecedent: "they" does not refer to one person, no matter how many personalities she…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karen-elizabeth-gordon/a-pronoun-too-will-aptly-reflect-the-number-of-its-antecedent-they/) [Karen Elizabeth Gordon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karen-elizabeth-gordon/) > [Spell check bails me out on the constant.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-yvars/spell-check-bails-me-out-on-the-constant/) [Daniel Yvars](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-yvars/) > [Writing is an act of faith, not a trick of grammar.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/e-b-white/writing-is-an-act-of-faith-not-a-trick-of-grammar/) [E. B. White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/e-b-white/) > [People from my sort of background needed grammar schools to compete with children from privileged homes like Shirley Williams and Anthony Wedgwood Benn.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-thatcher/people-from-my-sort-of-background-needed-grammar-schools-to-compete/) [Margaret Thatcher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-thatcher/) > [I love the silent era because you can see the rules being written, the grammar of film being created. Most of my films are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dave-mckean/i-love-the-silent-era-because-you-can-see-the-rules-being-written-the/) [Dave McKean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dave-mckean/) > [“Sex is a matter of biology, while gender is a matter of grammar, and there is no earthly reason why sex should be involved…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/r-l-trask/sex-is-a-matter-of-biology-while-gender-is-a-matter-of-grammar-and/) [R.L. Trask](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/r-l-trask/) > [I wish those red, squiggly spellcheck lines would show up when some people talk.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-wish-those-red-squiggly-spellcheck-lines-would-show-up-when-some/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [ Leo Crowley, Harry \[Truman\]'s Foreign Economic Administrator, tells Congressmen the theory...: 'If you create good governments in foreign countries, automatically you will have better… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/leo-crowley-harry-truman-s-foreign-economic-administrator-tells/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [One of the things I like about my job is that it draws on the entire person: not just your knowledge of grammar and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-norris/one-of-the-things-i-like-about-my-job-is-that-it-draws-on-the-entire/) [Mary Norris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-norris/) > [“I felt mildly peculiar to be treasuring love letters for their grammar, but there was nothing else I could treasure them for.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/keith-waterhouse/i-felt-mildly-peculiar-to-be-treasuring-love-letters-for-their/) [Keith Waterhouse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/keith-waterhouse/) > [Hey autocorrect, stop messing with my damn curse words. You mother forklift.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/hey-autocorrect-stop-messing-with-my-damn-curse-words-you-mother/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) [Browse all 645 Grammar quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/grammar/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“ Grammar, n. 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