---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Honorable, adj.: Afflicted with an…"
description: "\"Honorable, adj.: Afflicted with an impediment in one's reach. In legislative bodies, it is customary to mention all members as honorable; as, \"the hono..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/faf/ambrose-bierce-140_affliction_honorable-adj-afflicted-with-an-impedime_1804234.jpg"
---

#  Honorable, adj.: Afflicted with an impediment in one's…

![“Honorable, adj.: Afflicted with an impediment in one's reach. In legislative bodies, it is customary to mention all members as honorable; as, &quot;the honorable gentleman is a scurvy cur.&quot;.” quote by Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/faf/ambrose-bierce-140_affliction_honorable-adj-afflicted-with-an-impedime_1804234.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/faf/ambrose-bierce-140_affliction_honorable-adj-afflicted-with-an-impedime_1804234.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/faf/ambrose-bierce-140_affliction_honorable-adj-afflicted-with-an-impedime_1804234.jpg)

> “Honorable, adj.: Afflicted with an impediment in one's reach. In legislative bodies, it is customary to mention all members as honorable; as, "the honorable gentleman is a scurvy cur.".”

[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.

Describes a person who is formally respected but practically ineffective or hindered.

**In simple terms:** A respected person who can’t do much.

Key Takeaway

Recognize titles versus actual ability.

Themes

politics language satire

Mood

skeptical ironic

Type

critical satirical

When to use this quote

- legislative meetings
- political debates
- organizational reviews

Key Concepts

bureaucracy inefficiency

Questions to Reflect On

- Do titles always reflect competence?
- How does bureaucracy limit action?

A Different Perspective

Titles may mask true capability.

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[Affliction](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/affliction/) [Body](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/body/) [Gentleman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/gentleman/) [Honor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/honor/) [Honorable](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/honorable/) [Honorable Adj](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/honorable-adj-2058134/) [Honorable Gentleman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/honorable-gentleman-1278184/) [Honorable Honorable](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/honorable-honorable-2058135/) [Members](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/members/) [Members Honorable](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/members-honorable-2058136/)

## Related quotes

> [My master hath been an honorable gentleman; tricks he hath had in him which gentlemen have.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/my-master-hath-been-an-honorable-gentleman-tricks-he-hath-had-in-him/)

[William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/)

> [Whatever I am doing, I try to make it about something honorable, because if they are honorable things, I don't have to hide them…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-mast/whatever-i-am-doing-i-try-to-make-it-about-something-honorable/)

[Brian Mast](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-mast/)

> [“The right honorable gentleman is indebted to his memory for his jests, and to his imagination for his facts.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-brinsley-sheridan/the-right-honorable-gentleman-is-indebted-to-his-memory-for-his-jests/)

[Richard Brinsley Sheridan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-brinsley-sheridan/)

> [ The right honorable gentleman \[Robert Lowe, Viscount Sherbrooke\] is the first of the new party who has retired into his political cave of Adullam… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-bright/the-right-honorable-gentleman-robert-lowe-viscount-sherbrooke-is-the/)

[John Bright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-bright/)

> [“He was being the scrupulously honorable gentleman, she realized, protecting her name, taking the consequences of his own indiscretion. She understood all that and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-balogh/he-was-being-the-scrupulously-honorable-gentleman-she-realized/)

[Mary Balogh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-balogh/)

> [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/)

> [AFFLICTION, n. An acclimatizing process preparing the soul for another and bitter world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/affliction-n-an-acclimatizing-process-preparing-the-soul-for-another/)

[Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/)

> [Nominee. A modest gentleman shrinking from the distinction of private life and diligently seeking the honorable obscurity of public office.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/nominee-a-modest-gentleman-shrinking-from-the-distinction-of-private/)

[Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/)

> [MAJESTY, n. The state and title of a king. Regarded with a just contempt by the Most Eminent Grand Masters, Grand Chancellors, Great Incohonees…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/majesty-n-the-state-and-title-of-a-king-regarded-with-a-just-contempt/)

[Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/)

> [New materials are one of the great afflictions of contemporary art. Some artists confuse new materials with new ideas.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sol-lewitt/new-materials-are-one-of-the-great-afflictions-of-contemporary-art/)

[Sol LeWitt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sol-lewitt/)

> [Henceforth, I'll bear Affliction till it do cry out itself, 'Enough, enough, and die.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/henceforth-i-ll-bear-affliction-till-it-do-cry-out-itself-enough/)

[William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/)

> [Come, then, affliction, if my Father wills, and be my frowning friend. A friend that frowns is better than a smiling enemy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-macdonald/come-then-affliction-if-my-father-wills-and-be-my-frowning-friend-a/)

[George MacDonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-macdonald/)

> [There is nothing in afflictions which ought to disturb our joy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-calvin/there-is-nothing-in-afflictions-which-ought-to-disturb-our-joy/)

[John Calvin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-calvin/)

> [Every man will have his own criterion in forming his judgment of others. I depend very much on the effect of affliction. I consider…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-cecil/every-man-will-have-his-own-criterion-in-forming-his-judgment-of/)

[Richard Cecil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-cecil/)

> [I don't feel insecure about any of this work anymore. Maybe I don't have what I had when I was younger. I'm not really…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-norton/i-don-t-feel-insecure-about-any-of-this-work-anymore-maybe-i-don-t/)

[Edward Norton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-norton/)

## 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 Affliction quotes

> [I don't feel insecure about any of this work anymore. Maybe I don't have what I had when I was younger. I'm not really…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-norton/i-don-t-feel-insecure-about-any-of-this-work-anymore-maybe-i-don-t/)

[Edward Norton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-norton/)

> [Every man will have his own criterion in forming his judgment of others. I depend very much on the effect of affliction. I consider…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-cecil/every-man-will-have-his-own-criterion-in-forming-his-judgment-of/)

[Richard Cecil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-cecil/)

> [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/)

> [There is nothing in afflictions which ought to disturb our joy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-calvin/there-is-nothing-in-afflictions-which-ought-to-disturb-our-joy/)

[John Calvin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-calvin/)

> [Come, then, affliction, if my Father wills, and be my frowning friend. A friend that frowns is better than a smiling enemy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-macdonald/come-then-affliction-if-my-father-wills-and-be-my-frowning-friend-a/)

[George MacDonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-macdonald/)

> [Henceforth, I'll bear Affliction till it do cry out itself, 'Enough, enough, and die.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/henceforth-i-ll-bear-affliction-till-it-do-cry-out-itself-enough/)

[William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/)

> [New materials are one of the great afflictions of contemporary art. Some artists confuse new materials with new ideas.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sol-lewitt/new-materials-are-one-of-the-great-afflictions-of-contemporary-art/)

[Sol LeWitt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sol-lewitt/)

> [Aimee Parkison offers a distinct new voice to contemporary fiction. Her seductive stories explore childhood as a realm of sorrows, and reveal the afflictions…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carol-anshaw/aimee-parkison-offers-a-distinct-new-voice-to-contemporary-fiction/)

[Carol Anshaw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carol-anshaw/)

> [May I strike my heart's keys clearly, and may none fail because of slack, uncertain, or fraying strings. May the tears that stream down…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rainer-maria-rilke/may-i-strike-my-heart-s-keys-clearly-and-may-none-fail-because-of/)

[Rainer Maria Rilke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rainer-maria-rilke/)

> [We are infinitely more than our limitations and afflictions.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeffrey-r-holland/we-are-infinitely-more-than-our-limitations-and-afflictions/)

[Jeffrey R. Holland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeffrey-r-holland/)

> [God measures out affliction to our need.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saint-john-chrysostom/god-measures-out-affliction-to-our-need/)

[Saint John Chrysostom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saint-john-chrysostom/)

> [Afflictions make the heart more deep, more experimental, more knowing and profound, and so, more able to hold, to contain, and beat more.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-bunyan/afflictions-make-the-heart-more-deep-more-experimental-more-knowing/)

[John Bunyan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-bunyan/)

> [Religion prescribes to every miserable man the means of bettering his condition; nay, it shows him that the bearing of his afflictions as he…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-addison/religion-prescribes-to-every-miserable-man-the-means-of-bettering-his/)

[Joseph Addison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-addison/)

> [Short-term amnesia is not the worst affliction if you have an Irish flair for the sauce.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-mailer/short-term-amnesia-is-not-the-worst-affliction-if-you-have-an-irish/)

[Norman Mailer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-mailer/)

> [Revolution will free society of its afflictions, while science will free the individual of his.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mario-vargas-llosa/revolution-will-free-society-of-its-afflictions-while-science-will/)

[Mario Vargas Llosa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mario-vargas-llosa/)

[Browse all 598 Affliction quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/affliction/)

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