--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Patience, n. A minor form of dispair…" description: "\"Patience, n. A minor form of dispair, disguised as a virtue.\" — Ambrose Bierce" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ddc/ambrose-bierce-140_disguised_patience-n-a-minor-form-of-dispair-disgu_321971.jpg" --- # Patience, n. A minor form of dispair, disguised as a virtue. ![“Patience, n. A minor form of dispair, disguised as a virtue.” quote by Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ddc/ambrose-bierce-140_disguised_patience-n-a-minor-form-of-dispair-disgu_321971.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ddc/ambrose-bierce-140_disguised_patience-n-a-minor-form-of-dispair-disgu_321971.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ddc/ambrose-bierce-140_disguised_patience-n-a-minor-form-of-dispair-disgu_321971.jpg) > “Patience, n. A minor form of dispair, disguised as a virtue.” [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. Patience is a disguised form of despair, appearing virtuous while masking frustration. **In simple terms:** Patience can hide frustration. Key Takeaway Recognize hidden frustration. Themes patience virtue despair Mood skeptical wry Type satirical philosophical When to use this quote - waiting in line - long‑term projects - relationship negotiations Key Concepts psychology irony Questions to Reflect On - When does patience become harmful? - How can you turn waiting into productive action? A Different Perspective Patience may be passive acceptance rather than active coping. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Patience](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/patience/) [Virtue](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/virtue/) ## Related quotes > [“Patience, n. A minor form of despair, disguised as a virtue”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/patience-n-a-minor-form-of-despair-disguised-as-a-virtue/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [Most of us miss our best opportunities in life because they come to us disguised as work.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nido-r-qubein/most-of-us-miss-our-best-opportunities-in-life-because-they-come-to/) [Nido R Qubein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nido-r-qubein/) > [“We are so accustomed to disguise ourselves to others, that in the end, we become disguised to ourselves. — FRANÇOIS DE LA ROCHEFOUCAULD”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/we-are-so-accustomed-to-disguise-ourselves-to-others-that-in-the-end/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Most opportunities are disguised as problems.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/grant-cardone/most-opportunities-are-disguised-as-problems/) [Grant Cardone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/grant-cardone/) > [All the talk and all the lies, were all the empty things disguised.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/goo-goo-dolls/all-the-talk-and-all-the-lies-were-all-the-empty-things-disguised/) [Goo Goo Dolls](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/goo-goo-dolls/) > [“The modern world is insanity disguised as progress.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-magee/the-modern-world-is-insanity-disguised-as-progress/) [Steven Magee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-magee/) > [“How could we even be prepared to face such a harsh reality as ourselves when we see nothing in a mirror but the reflection…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cage-j-madison/how-could-we-even-be-prepared-to-face-such-a-harsh-reality-as/) [Cage J. Madison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cage-j-madison/) > [Sometimes I go out disguised, but people still recognize me, so I find there is no point in even trying. It would be nice…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-davis/sometimes-i-go-out-disguised-but-people-still-recognize-me-so-i-find/) [Jonathan Davis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-davis/) > [All God's angels come to us disguised.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-russell-lowell/all-god-s-angels-come-to-us-disguised/) [James Russell Lowell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-russell-lowell/) > [All you imagined, no matter how wild it might seem, was no more than a disguised version of what you already knew.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-king/all-you-imagined-no-matter-how-wild-it-might-seem-was-no-more-than-a/) [Stephen King](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-king/) > [My view on Democrats is that they're fascists disguised as liberals, or liberal moderates. You're not allowed to say anything they don't agree with.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/glenn-danzig/my-view-on-democrats-is-that-they-re-fascists-disguised-as-liberals/) [Glenn Danzig](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/glenn-danzig/) > [You are awareness, disguised as a person.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eckhart-tolle/you-are-awareness-disguised-as-a-person/) [Eckhart Tolle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eckhart-tolle/) > [My whole family is obsessed by brandy butter. And bread sauce. Then, of course, there will be a lot of wind in the afternoon!…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miranda-hart/my-whole-family-is-obsessed-by-brandy-butter-and-bread-sauce-then-of/) [Miranda Hart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miranda-hart/) > [Our virtues are most often but our vices disguised](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francois-de-la-rochefoucauld/our-virtues-are-most-often-but-our-vices-disguised/) [François De La Rochefoucauld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francois-de-la-rochefoucauld/) > [“I planted a plant in the midst of spies, who were disguised as farmers.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jarod-kintz/i-planted-a-plant-in-the-midst-of-spies-who-were-disguised-as-farmers/) [Jarod Kintz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jarod-kintz/) ## 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 Disguised quotes > [Most of us miss our best opportunities in life because they come to us disguised as work.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nido-r-qubein/most-of-us-miss-our-best-opportunities-in-life-because-they-come-to/) [Nido R Qubein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nido-r-qubein/) > [Our virtues are most often but our vices disguised](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francois-de-la-rochefoucauld/our-virtues-are-most-often-but-our-vices-disguised/) [François De La Rochefoucauld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francois-de-la-rochefoucauld/) > [My whole family is obsessed by brandy butter. And bread sauce. Then, of course, there will be a lot of wind in the afternoon!…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miranda-hart/my-whole-family-is-obsessed-by-brandy-butter-and-bread-sauce-then-of/) [Miranda Hart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miranda-hart/) > [You are awareness, disguised as a person.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eckhart-tolle/you-are-awareness-disguised-as-a-person/) [Eckhart Tolle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eckhart-tolle/) > [My view on Democrats is that they're fascists disguised as liberals, or liberal moderates. You're not allowed to say anything they don't agree with.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/glenn-danzig/my-view-on-democrats-is-that-they-re-fascists-disguised-as-liberals/) [Glenn Danzig](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/glenn-danzig/) > [All you imagined, no matter how wild it might seem, was no more than a disguised version of what you already knew.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-king/all-you-imagined-no-matter-how-wild-it-might-seem-was-no-more-than-a/) [Stephen King](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-king/) > [All God's angels come to us disguised.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-russell-lowell/all-god-s-angels-come-to-us-disguised/) [James Russell Lowell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-russell-lowell/) > [Sometimes I go out disguised, but people still recognize me, so I find there is no point in even trying. It would be nice…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-davis/sometimes-i-go-out-disguised-but-people-still-recognize-me-so-i-find/) [Jonathan Davis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-davis/) > [“How could we even be prepared to face such a harsh reality as ourselves when we see nothing in a mirror but the reflection…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cage-j-madison/how-could-we-even-be-prepared-to-face-such-a-harsh-reality-as/) [Cage J. Madison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cage-j-madison/) > [“The modern world is insanity disguised as progress.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-magee/the-modern-world-is-insanity-disguised-as-progress/) [Steven Magee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-magee/) > [All the talk and all the lies, were all the empty things disguised.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/goo-goo-dolls/all-the-talk-and-all-the-lies-were-all-the-empty-things-disguised/) [Goo Goo Dolls](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/goo-goo-dolls/) > [Most opportunities are disguised as problems.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/grant-cardone/most-opportunities-are-disguised-as-problems/) [Grant Cardone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/grant-cardone/) > [“We are so accustomed to disguise ourselves to others, that in the end, we become disguised to ourselves. — FRANÇOIS DE LA ROCHEFOUCAULD”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/we-are-so-accustomed-to-disguise-ourselves-to-others-that-in-the-end/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“I planted a plant in the midst of spies, who were disguised as farmers.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jarod-kintz/i-planted-a-plant-in-the-midst-of-spies-who-were-disguised-as-farmers/) [Jarod Kintz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jarod-kintz/) > [The best blessings are mightily disguised.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robin-lawson/the-best-blessings-are-mightily-disguised/) Robin Lawson Browse all 57 Disguised quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Patience, n. 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