---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Nonsense, n. The objections that are…"
description: "\"Nonsense, n. The objections that are urged against this excellent dictionary.\" — Ambrose Bierce"
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b94/ambrose-bierce-140_dictionary_nonsense-n-the-objections-that-are-urged_2294732.jpg"
---

#  Nonsense, n. The objections that are urged against this…

![“Nonsense, n. The objections that are urged against this excellent dictionary.” quote by Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b94/ambrose-bierce-140_dictionary_nonsense-n-the-objections-that-are-urged_2294732.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b94/ambrose-bierce-140_dictionary_nonsense-n-the-objections-that-are-urged_2294732.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b94/ambrose-bierce-140_dictionary_nonsense-n-the-objections-that-are-urged_2294732.jpg)

> “Nonsense, n. The objections that are urged against this excellent dictionary.”

[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.

The definition humorously suggests that nonsense is the opposition to logical objections.

**In simple terms:** Nonsense is what lacks proper objections.

Key Takeaway

Question the validity of arguments.

Themes

language logic humor philosophy semantics

Mood

witty skeptical

Type

literary philosophical

When to use this quote

- debate
- education
- writing
- media analysis

Key Concepts

satire semantic inversion critical thinking

Questions to Reflect On

- When does dismissing objections become harmful?
- How can we distinguish nonsense from genuine critique?

A Different Perspective

The joke may oversimplify complex discourse.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Dictionary](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dictionary/) [Excellent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/excellent/) [Excellent Dictionary](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/excellent-dictionary-5405228/) [Nonsense](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nonsense/) [Nonsense Objections](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nonsense-objections-5405227/) [Objections](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/objections/) [Objections Urged](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/objections-urged-4268216/)

## Related quotes

> [The best answer to all objections urged against prayer is the fact that man cannot help praying; for we may be sure that that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edwin-hubbel-chapin/the-best-answer-to-all-objections-urged-against-prayer-is-the-fact/)

[Edwin Hubbel Chapin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edwin-hubbel-chapin/)

> [I do not deny that medicine is a gift of God, nor do I refuse to acknowledge science in the skill of many physicians;…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-luther/i-do-not-deny-that-medicine-is-a-gift-of-god-nor-do-i-refuse-to/)

[Martin Luther](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-luther/)

> [PERIPATETIC, adj. Walking about. Relating to the philosophy of Aristotle, who, while expounding it, moved from place to place in order to avoid his…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/peripatetic-adj-walking-about-relating-to-the-philosophy-of-aristotle/)

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

> [Hash, x. There is no definition for this word - nobody knows what hash is. Famous, adj. Conspicuously miserable. Dictionary, n. A malevolent literary…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/hash-x-there-is-no-definition-for-this-word-nobody-knows-what-hash-is/)

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

> [“Dictionary, n. A malevolent literacy device for cramping the growth of a language and making it hard and inelastic.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/dictionary-n-a-malevolent-literacy-device-for-cramping-the-growth-of/)

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

> [Dictionary: a malevolent literary device for cramping the growth of a language and making it hard and inelastic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/dictionary-a-malevolent-literary-device-for-cramping-the-growth-of-a/)

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

> [IMBECILITY, n. A kind of divine inspiration, or sacred fire affecting censorious critics of this dictionary.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/imbecility-n-a-kind-of-divine-inspiration-or-sacred-fire-affecting/)

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

> [Patriotism, n. Combustible rubbish ready to the torch of any one ambitious to illuminate his name. In Dr. Johnson's famous dictionary patriotism is defined…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/patriotism-n-combustible-rubbish-ready-to-the-torch-of-any-one/)

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

> [The bold and discerning writer who, recognizing the truth that language must grow by innovation if it grow at all, makes new words and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/the-bold-and-discerning-writer-who-recognizing-the-truth-that/)

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

> [“at their disposal. So they assemble in protests to convey their objections. What’s wrong with that? A similar outpouring came recently from American Walter…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matthew-scully/at-their-disposal-so-they-assemble-in-protests-to-convey-their/)

[Matthew Scully](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matthew-scully/)

> [“Set aside your repertoire of objections and own 100 percent of your focus.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lorii-myers/set-aside-your-repertoire-of-objections-and-own-100-percent-of-your/)

[Lorii Myers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lorii-myers/)

> [Among many other weighty objections to the Measure, it has been suggested, that it has a tendency to introduce religious disputes into the Army,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-washington/among-many-other-weighty-objections-to-the-measure-it-has-been/)

[George Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-washington/)

> [When the whole discussion of "developing a national idea" hastily began in post-Soviet Russia, I tried to pour cold water on it with the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aleksandr-solzhenitsyn/when-the-whole-discussion-of-developing-a-national-idea-hastily-began/)

[Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aleksandr-solzhenitsyn/)

> [I've picked passion-driven businesses where I create a concept, or produce a film, from scratch. You have to be tenacious to overcome the constant…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hanan-kattan/i-ve-picked-passion-driven-businesses-where-i-create-a-concept-or/)

[Hanan Kattan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hanan-kattan/)

> [Each Act of Parliament intended to address harassment and discrimination has faced objections on the basis of 'you'll never be able to prove...' and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-field/each-act-of-parliament-intended-to-address-harassment-and/)

[Tim Field](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-field/)

## 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 Dictionary quotes

> [There is no such word as item girl in the dictionary. People have created this word and I don't believe that I am an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shefali-zariwala/there-is-no-such-word-as-item-girl-in-the-dictionary-people-have/)

[Shefali Zariwala](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shefali-zariwala/)

> [“I hereby propose the term “miserize”, as a verb for misery – referring to “to cause misery”.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abhijit-naskar/i-hereby-propose-the-term-miserize-as-a-verb-for-misery-referring-to/)

[Abhijit Naskar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abhijit-naskar/)

> [The only place where compensation comes before service is in the dictionary or anywhere the government meddles.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/orrin-woodward/the-only-place-where-compensation-comes-before-service-is-in-the/)

[Orrin Woodward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/orrin-woodward/)

> [What's a depression? The dictionary says a depression is a dent. And what's a dent? Everybody knows a dent is a hole. And what's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jimmy-durante/what-s-a-depression-the-dictionary-says-a-depression-is-a-dent-and/)

[Jimmy Durante](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jimmy-durante/)

> [Cults use our vocabulary, but they don't use our dictionary.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-r-swindoll/cults-use-our-vocabulary-but-they-don-t-use-our-dictionary/)

[Charles R. Swindoll](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-r-swindoll/)

> [“Every dictionary contains a world. I open a book of thieves’ slang from Queen Anne’s reign and they have a hundred words for swords,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-forsyth/every-dictionary-contains-a-world-i-open-a-book-of-thieves-slang-from/)

[Mark Forsyth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-forsyth/)

> [I've been in 'Who's Who' and I know what's what, but it'll be the first time I ever made the dictionary.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mae-west/i-ve-been-in-who-s-who-and-i-know-what-s-what-but-it-ll-be-the-first/)

[Mae West](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mae-west/)

> [Everybody talks about being a role model. But if you look up the word 'role' in a dictionary, it describes playing a part. Everything…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shaquille-o-neal/everybody-talks-about-being-a-role-model-but-if-you-look-up-the-word/)

[Shaquille O'Neal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shaquille-o-neal/)

> [“We have control on every word of the dictionary except for the 2:; "Death" and "Heart”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nikita-tak/we-have-control-on-every-word-of-the-dictionary-except-for-the-2/)

[Nikita Tak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nikita-tak/)

> [Weird itself, even in the dictionary, is just something that is different and unexplainable. A weirdo is someone who follows their heart. Im definitely…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kid-cudi/weird-itself-even-in-the-dictionary-is-just-something-that-is/)

[Kid Cudi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kid-cudi/)

> [I'm not sure what to call 'Lego Star Wars: The Visual Dictionary.' Nonfiction? Movie/toy fiction? But it is any Lego/'Star Wars' kid's dream. Call…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-scieszka/i-m-not-sure-what-to-call-lego-star-wars-the-visual-dictionary/)

[Jon Scieszka](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-scieszka/)

> [“A dictionary is a ship that crosses the sea of words,” said Araki, with a sense that he was laying bare his innermost soul.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shion-miura/a-dictionary-is-a-ship-that-crosses-the-sea-of-words-said-araki-with/)

[Shion Miura](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shion-miura/)

> [There is a word Kristos in the Greek dictionary, and this word is supposed to be borrowed from the Sanskrit word "Krishna," and Christ…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/a-c-bhaktivedanta-swami-prabhupada/there-is-a-word-kristos-in-the-greek-dictionary-and-this-word-is/)

[A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/a-c-bhaktivedanta-swami-prabhupada/)

> [If you look in the dictionary under 'perfectionist,' you see Henry Selick correcting the definition of perfectionist in the dictionary. I mean, he is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-hodgman/if-you-look-in-the-dictionary-under-perfectionist-you-see-henry/)

[John Hodgman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-hodgman/)

> [I'm pretty sure that if you looked up the word "nuts" in the dictionary, you'll find my picture. Just another fun feature of my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-patterson/i-m-pretty-sure-that-if-you-looked-up-the-word-nuts-in-the-dictionary/)

[James Patterson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-patterson/)

[Browse all 550 Dictionary quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dictionary/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "Nonsense, n. The objections that are urged against this excellent dictionary.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Ambrose Bierce"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/nonsense-n-the-objections-that-are-urged-against-this-excellent/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Dictionary"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/nonsense-n-the-objections-that-are-urged-against-this-excellent/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b94/ambrose-bierce-140_dictionary_nonsense-n-the-objections-that-are-urged_2294732.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b94/ambrose-bierce-140_dictionary_nonsense-n-the-objections-that-are-urged_2294732.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b94/ambrose-bierce-140_dictionary_nonsense-n-the-objections-that-are-urged_2294732.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“Nonsense, n. The objections that are urged against this excellent dictionary.” — 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": "Nonsense, n. The objections that are...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/nonsense-n-the-objections-that-are-urged-against-this-excellent/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/nonsense-n-the-objections-that-are-urged-against-this-excellent/#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
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
