--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: PIRACY, n. Commerce without its…" description: "\"PIRACY, n. Commerce without its folly-swaddles, just as God made it.\" — Ambrose Bierce" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dba/ambrose-bierce-140_business_piracy-n-commerce-without-its-folly-swad_2325094.jpg" --- # PIRACY, n. Commerce without its folly-swaddles, just as… ![“PIRACY, n. Commerce without its folly-swaddles, just as God made it.” quote by Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dba/ambrose-bierce-140_business_piracy-n-commerce-without-its-folly-swad_2325094.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dba/ambrose-bierce-140_business_piracy-n-commerce-without-its-folly-swad_2325094.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dba/ambrose-bierce-140_business_piracy-n-commerce-without-its-folly-swad_2325094.jpg) > “PIRACY, n. Commerce without its folly-swaddles, just as God made it.” [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. Bierce humorously defines piracy as a form of commerce that, like divine creation, is wrapped in folly, suggesting that even illicit trade follows a natural, almost sacred order. **In simple terms:** Piracy is a foolish yet natural commerce. Key Takeaway Recognize the paradoxes in human economic behavior. Themes economics morality paradox Mood wry critical Type satirical philosophical When to use this quote - legal policy - maritime law - ethical debates Key Concepts satire social critique Questions to Reflect On - Is piracy ever justifiable? - How does satire reveal societal contradictions? A Different Perspective Romantic can be romanticized. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Business](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/business/) [Commerce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/commerce/) [Folly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/folly/) [Just God](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/just-god/) [Justice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/justice/) [Made](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/made/) [Made it](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/made-it/) [Piracy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/piracy/) [Piracy Commerce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/piracy-commerce-5572071/) [Swaddles Just](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/swaddles-just-5572072/) ## Related quotes > [Still we did not expect to be without rubs and difficulties; and we have had them. 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God wants you to give something back.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-warren/you-were-created-to-add-to-life-on-earth-not-just-take-from-it-god/) [Rick Warren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-warren/) > [Let us give out of our own bounty, just as God gives to us.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/swami-vivekananda/let-us-give-out-of-our-own-bounty-just-as-god-gives-to-us/) [Swami Vivekananda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/swami-vivekananda/) > [From a vocal standpoint, Glenn Hughes is just a god.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-corabi/from-a-vocal-standpoint-glenn-hughes-is-just-a-god/) [John Corabi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-corabi/) > [Prayers to the people that are going through tough times, it will get better soon, just give it to God.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/prayers-to-the-people-that-are-going-through-tough-times-it-will-get/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) ## 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 Business quotes > [Companies with cultures that celebrate diverse opinions and encourage the exchange of ideas have an advantage when solving difficult problems. 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