---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: LAST, n. A shoemaker's implement, named…"
description: "\"LAST, n. A shoemaker's implement, named by a frowning Providence as opportunity to the maker of puns.\" — Ambrose Bierce"
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ce2/ambrose-bierce-140_fashion_last-n-a-shoemaker-s-implement-named-by_2759236.jpg"
---

#  LAST, n. A shoemaker's implement, named by a frowning…

![“LAST, n. A shoemaker's implement, named by a frowning Providence as opportunity to the maker of puns.” quote by Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ce2/ambrose-bierce-140_fashion_last-n-a-shoemaker-s-implement-named-by_2759236.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ce2/ambrose-bierce-140_fashion_last-n-a-shoemaker-s-implement-named-by_2759236.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ce2/ambrose-bierce-140_fashion_last-n-a-shoemaker-s-implement-named-by_2759236.jpg)

> “LAST, n. A shoemaker's implement, named by a frowning Providence as opportunity to the maker of puns.”

[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 shoemaker’s tool is humorously redefined as a pun‑making opportunity by fate.

**In simple terms:** A tool becomes a metaphor for chance.

Key Takeaway

Embrace unexpected opportunities.

Themes

language humor fate

Mood

witty philosophical

Type

literary humorous

When to use this quote

- writing
- stand‑up comedy
- teaching language

Key Concepts

literary satire wordplay

Questions to Reflect On

- How can you find humor in daily tasks?
- What does “opportunity” mean to you?

A Different Perspective

Humor may not translate across cultures.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Fashion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fashion/) [Frowning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/frowning/) [Frowning Providence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/frowning-providence-2757779/) [Lasts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lasts/) [Maker Puns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/maker-puns-3157825/) [Makers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/makers/) [Named Frowning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/named-frowning-3157826/) [Opportunity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/opportunity/) [Providence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/providence/) [Pun](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pun/) [Puns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/puns/) [Shoemaker Implement](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/shoemaker-implement-3157827/)

## Related quotes

> [Judge not the Lord by feeble sense, but trust Him for His grace; Behind a frowning providence He hides a smiling face.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-cowper/judge-not-the-lord-by-feeble-sense-but-trust-him-for-his-grace-behind-2/)

[William Cowper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-cowper/)

> [Watching a coast as it slips by the ship is like thinking about an enigma. There it is before you, smiling, frowning, inviting, grand,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-conrad/watching-a-coast-as-it-slips-by-the-ship-is-like-thinking-about-an/)

[Joseph Conrad](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-conrad/)

> [Eve was still frowning at the pasta like she suspected it was going to do something clever, like try to escape from the pot.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-caine/eve-was-still-frowning-at-the-pasta-like-she-suspected-it-was-going/)

[Rachel Caine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-caine/)

> [ I'm not a philosopher, Harry," \[Michael\] said. "But here's something for you to think about, at least. What goes around comes around. And sometimes… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-butcher/i-m-not-a-philosopher-harry-michael-said-but-here-s-something-for-you/)

[Jim Butcher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-butcher/)

> [“After such prolonged frowning, it took her some moments to recall what her normal face even looked like, but after several attempts she was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/haruki-murakami/after-such-prolonged-frowning-it-took-her-some-moments-to-recall-what/)

[Haruki Murakami](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/haruki-murakami/)

> [When a man is just and firm in his purpose, The citizens burning to approve a wrong Or the frowning looks of a tyrant…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/horace/when-a-man-is-just-and-firm-in-his-purpose-the-citizens-burning-to/)

[Horace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/horace/)

> [Do you think it would be quite so easy to kill them now that your weapon has been destroyed?' he sneered. 'No,' she said,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/derek-landy/do-you-think-it-would-be-quite-so-easy-to-kill-them-now-that-your/)

[Derek Landy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/derek-landy/)

> [Just... ate," M says, frowning at me a little. "Two days...ago." I grab my stomach again. "Feel empty. Feel... dead." He nods. "Marr...iage.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/isaac-marion/just-ate-m-says-frowning-at-me-a-little-two-days-ago-i-grab-my/)

[Isaac Marion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/isaac-marion/)

> [I'm intensely private, and I've openly shown annoyance at the paparazzi.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/demi-moore/i-m-intensely-private-and-i-ve-openly-shown-annoyance-at-the-paparazzi/)

[Demi Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/demi-moore/)

> [A frowning face can't bring out the beauty that you are.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stevie-wonder/a-frowning-face-can-t-bring-out-the-beauty-that-you-are/)

[Stevie Wonder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stevie-wonder/)

> [“Oy, prince,” Puck circled back, frowning. “What are you doing? If you didn't know already, the old chicken plucker is on her way, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julie-kagawa/oy-prince-puck-circled-back-frowning-what-are-you-doing-if-you-didn-t/)

[Julie Kagawa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julie-kagawa/)

> [“No matter how grouchy you're feeling, you'll find the smile more or less healing. It grows in a wreath all around the teeth thus…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-euwer/no-matter-how-grouchy-you-re-feeling-you-ll-find-the-smile-more-or/)

[Anthony Euwer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-euwer/)

> [Smile on your face even though your heart is frowning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/justin-bieber/smile-on-your-face-even-though-your-heart-is-frowning/)

[Justin Bieber](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/justin-bieber/)

> [If good people would but make goodness agreeable, and smile instead of frowning in their virtue, how many they would win to the good…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-ussher/if-good-people-would-but-make-goodness-agreeable-and-smile-instead-of/)

[James Ussher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-ussher/)

> [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/)

## 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 Fashion quotes

> [“I can either be a victim—or a winner. Fuck victimhood. I don’t wear it well; it clashes with my wardrobe.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karen-marie-moning/i-can-either-be-a-victim-or-a-winner-fuck-victimhood-i-don-t-wear-it/)

[Karen Marie Moning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karen-marie-moning/)

> [Personal Style comes from within. It's when the woman, her individuality and spirit come through. She uses clothes to express who she is and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donna-karan/personal-style-comes-from-within-it-s-when-the-woman-her/)

[Donna Karan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donna-karan/)

> [There are various orders of beauty, causing men to make fools of themselves in various styles.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-eliot/there-are-various-orders-of-beauty-causing-men-to-make-fools-of/)

[George Eliot](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-eliot/)

> [I'm a business first and foremost so whatever my business is, it's separate from my personal. It's like whatever I do business wise, it's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/snoop-dogg/i-m-a-business-first-and-foremost-so-whatever-my-business-is-it-s/)

[Snoop Dogg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/snoop-dogg/)

> [To me, the beauty of a quilt or a dress lies within the stitches and the thought of the person who made them. When…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natalie/to-me-the-beauty-of-a-quilt-or-a-dress-lies-within-the-stitches-and/)

[Natalie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natalie/)

> [A lesser complaint: hair extensions. There are moments on 'All My Children' when half the women actors, young and old, seem to be afflicted…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/camille-paglia/a-lesser-complaint-hair-extensions-there-are-moments-on-all-my/)

[Camille Paglia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/camille-paglia/)

> [Never in a million years would I imagine Calvin Klein flying me out to my first men's fashion show.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cameron-dallas/never-in-a-million-years-would-i-imagine-calvin-klein-flying-me-out/)

[Cameron Dallas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cameron-dallas/)

> [Be neither too early in the fashion, nor too long out of it, nor too precisely in it; what custom hath civilized is become…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-quarles/be-neither-too-early-in-the-fashion-nor-too-long-out-of-it-nor-too/)

[Francis Quarles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-quarles/)

> [America, you're sending girls a mixed message. On one hand, you're saying to have positive body image and love who we are; on the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adora-svitak/america-you-re-sending-girls-a-mixed-message-on-one-hand-you-re/)

[Adora Svitak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adora-svitak/)

> [I didn't want to do 'Fashion Police' because I thought, 'This is stupid, this is beneath me, who wants to talk about fashion?' It…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joan-rivers/i-didn-t-want-to-do-fashion-police-because-i-thought-this-is-stupid/)

[Joan Rivers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joan-rivers/)

> [No one knows whom the shoe pinches - no one.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sholom-aleichem/no-one-knows-whom-the-shoe-pinches-no-one/)

[Sholom Aleichem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sholom-aleichem/)

> [Every man must wear out at least one pair of fools shoes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/earl-derr-biggers/every-man-must-wear-out-at-least-one-pair-of-fools-shoes/)

[Earl Derr Biggers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/earl-derr-biggers/)

> [I have always been too round to do fashion shows.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/heidi-klum/i-have-always-been-too-round-to-do-fashion-shows/)

[Heidi Klum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/heidi-klum/)

> [My friend made me a leather dress for the MTV awards. It gives you confidence, wearing something you love.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cat-deeley/my-friend-made-me-a-leather-dress-for-the-mtv-awards-it-gives-you/)

[Cat Deeley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cat-deeley/)

> [I've retired my sneakers for stilettos, baby!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vivica-a-fox/i-ve-retired-my-sneakers-for-stilettos-baby/)

[Vivica A. Fox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vivica-a-fox/)

[Browse all 19,830 Fashion quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fashion/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "LAST, n. A shoemaker's implement, named by a frowning Providence as opportunity to the maker of puns.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Ambrose Bierce"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/last-n-a-shoemaker-s-implement-named-by-a-frowning-providence-as/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Fashion"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/last-n-a-shoemaker-s-implement-named-by-a-frowning-providence-as/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ce2/ambrose-bierce-140_fashion_last-n-a-shoemaker-s-implement-named-by_2759236.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ce2/ambrose-bierce-140_fashion_last-n-a-shoemaker-s-implement-named-by_2759236.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ce2/ambrose-bierce-140_fashion_last-n-a-shoemaker-s-implement-named-by_2759236.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“LAST, n. A shoemaker's implement, named by a frowning Providence as opportunity to the maker of puns.” — 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": "LAST, n. A shoemaker's implement, named...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/last-n-a-shoemaker-s-implement-named-by-a-frowning-providence-as/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/last-n-a-shoemaker-s-implement-named-by-a-frowning-providence-as/#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
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
