--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: PRE-ADAMITE, n. One of an experimental…" description: "\"PRE-ADAMITE, n. One of an experimental and apparently unsatisfactory race of antedated Creation. . . . Little its known of them beyond the fact that th..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0f8/ambrose-bierce-140_cain_pre-adamite-n-one-of-an-experimental-and_672623.jpg" --- # PRE-ADAMITE, n. One of an experimental and apparently… ![“PRE-ADAMITE, n. One of an experimental and apparently unsatisfactory race of antedated Creation. . . . Little its known of them beyond the fact that they supplied Cain with a wife and theologians with a controversy.” quote by Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0f8/ambrose-bierce-140_cain_pre-adamite-n-one-of-an-experimental-and_672623.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0f8/ambrose-bierce-140_cain_pre-adamite-n-one-of-an-experimental-and_672623.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0f8/ambrose-bierce-140_cain_pre-adamite-n-one-of-an-experimental-and_672623.jpg) > “PRE-ADAMITE, n. One of an experimental and apparently unsatisfactory race of antedated Creation. . . . Little its known of them beyond the fact that they supplied Cain with a wife and theologians with a controversy.” [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 fictional, unsatisfactory prehistoric race is humorously presented as the source of Cain’s wife, highlighting absurdity in mythic explanations. **In simple terms:** A made‑up ancient race explains Cain’s wife. Key Takeaway Question absurd origins with skepticism. Themes mythology humor history Mood wry ironic Type literary philosophical When to use this quote - academic lectures - creative writing - debates on origins Key Concepts satire fiction anthropology Questions to Reflect On - What does this satire reveal about our need for explanations? - How do we distinguish myth from fact? A Different Perspective The joke may obscure genuine historical inquiry. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Cain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cain/) [Controversy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/controversy/) [Creation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/creation/) [Facts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/facts/) [Marriage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/marriage/) [Race](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/race/) [Theologian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/theologian/) [Wife](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wife/) ## Related quotes > [“WRITTEN IN PENCIL IN THE SEALED RAILWAY-CAR here in this carload i am eve with abel my son if you see my other son…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-pagis/written-in-pencil-in-the-sealed-railway-car-here-in-this-carload-i-am/) Dan Pagis > [“One part of my brain, soaring on adrenaline, insisted I could take Cain, whatever the size difference. Another part wondered where the hell Nick…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelley-armstrong/one-part-of-my-brain-soaring-on-adrenaline-insisted-i-could-take-cain/) [Kelley Armstrong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelley-armstrong/) > [Livin' is like pourin' water out of a tumbler into a dang Coca-Cola bottle. If'n you skeered you can't do it, you cain't. If'n…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/olive-ann-burns/livin-is-like-pourin-water-out-of-a-tumbler-into-a-dang-coca-cola/) [Olive Ann Burns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/olive-ann-burns/) > [“We can't chose family," Cain agreed. "But we can chose our friends.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tina-folsom/we-can-t-chose-family-cain-agreed-but-we-can-chose-our-friends/) [Tina Folsom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tina-folsom/) > [“You'll never think of the old Cain and Abel battle the same way. Day's gripping, compelling, and kick-ass Eve of Darkness will have you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/toni-mcgee-causey/you-ll-never-think-of-the-old-cain-and-abel-battle-the-same-way-day-s/) [Toni McGee Causey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/toni-mcgee-causey/) > [Eve kissed Able, that's how he got murdered by Cain.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lou-reed/eve-kissed-able-that-s-how-he-got-murdered-by-cain/) [Lou Reed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lou-reed/) > [This is a very violent place to live, the Earth, and we're a very violent species. Cain is still killing Abel. We see that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anne-lamott/this-is-a-very-violent-place-to-live-the-earth-and-we-re-a-very/) [Anne Lamott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anne-lamott/) > [“Those who are unconcerned in the affairs of their brethren, and take no care, when they have opportunity, to prevent their hurt in their…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matthew-henry/those-who-are-unconcerned-in-the-affairs-of-their-brethren-and-take/) [Matthew Henry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matthew-henry/) > [Let me know if Cain is able.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-mckay/let-me-know-if-cain-is-able/) [John Mckay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-mckay/) > [“Wounds that haven’t healed properly still hurt you. You pretend to allow them faze you, but I see past the mask. Shame, that a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/millicent-ashby/wounds-that-haven-t-healed-properly-still-hurt-you-you-pretend-to/) [Millicent Ashby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/millicent-ashby/) > [James Cain was saddled with being called the father of hardboiled fiction. Apparently, he didn't like this saddle.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-callahan/james-cain-was-saddled-with-being-called-the-father-of-hardboiled/) [Bill Callahan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-callahan/) > [Abel's sacrifice was accepted by God because it was made according to God's instructions. Cain, however, tried to approach God in his own way…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-jeffress/abel-s-sacrifice-was-accepted-by-god-because-it-was-made-according-to/) [Robert Jeffress](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-jeffress/) > [ “He \[James Cain\] is every kind of writer I detest...a Proust in greasy overalls, a dirty little boy with a piece of chalk and… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/raymond-chandler/he-james-cain-is-every-kind-of-writer-i-detest-a-proust-in-greasy/) [Raymond Chandler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/raymond-chandler/) > [Take the story of Cain and Abel. Why were we given that story? Scientifically, you may have an explanation for it, but I'm not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elie-wiesel/take-the-story-of-cain-and-abel-why-were-we-given-that-story/) [Elie Wiesel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elie-wiesel/) > [Don't tell me to leave-you leave. If Obama, if Clinton, if Mittens Romney, if Rick Santorum, if Neutered Gingrich, if Herman '999 666' Cain,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gerald-celente/don-t-tell-me-to-leave-you-leave-if-obama-if-clinton-if-mittens/) [Gerald Celente](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gerald-celente/) ## 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 Cain quotes > [“WRITTEN IN PENCIL IN THE SEALED RAILWAY-CAR here in this carload i am eve with abel my son if you see my other son…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-pagis/written-in-pencil-in-the-sealed-railway-car-here-in-this-carload-i-am/) Dan Pagis > [Take the story of Cain and Abel. Why were we given that story? Scientifically, you may have an explanation for it, but I'm not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elie-wiesel/take-the-story-of-cain-and-abel-why-were-we-given-that-story/) [Elie Wiesel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elie-wiesel/) > [ “He \[James Cain\] is every kind of writer I detest...a Proust in greasy overalls, a dirty little boy with a piece of chalk and… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/raymond-chandler/he-james-cain-is-every-kind-of-writer-i-detest-a-proust-in-greasy/) [Raymond Chandler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/raymond-chandler/) > [Abel's sacrifice was accepted by God because it was made according to God's instructions. Cain, however, tried to approach God in his own way…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-jeffress/abel-s-sacrifice-was-accepted-by-god-because-it-was-made-according-to/) [Robert Jeffress](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-jeffress/) > [James Cain was saddled with being called the father of hardboiled fiction. Apparently, he didn't like this saddle.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-callahan/james-cain-was-saddled-with-being-called-the-father-of-hardboiled/) [Bill Callahan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-callahan/) > [“Wounds that haven’t healed properly still hurt you. You pretend to allow them faze you, but I see past the mask. Shame, that a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/millicent-ashby/wounds-that-haven-t-healed-properly-still-hurt-you-you-pretend-to/) [Millicent Ashby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/millicent-ashby/) > [Let me know if Cain is able.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-mckay/let-me-know-if-cain-is-able/) [John Mckay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-mckay/) > [“Those who are unconcerned in the affairs of their brethren, and take no care, when they have opportunity, to prevent their hurt in their…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matthew-henry/those-who-are-unconcerned-in-the-affairs-of-their-brethren-and-take/) [Matthew Henry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matthew-henry/) > [This is a very violent place to live, the Earth, and we're a very violent species. Cain is still killing Abel. We see that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anne-lamott/this-is-a-very-violent-place-to-live-the-earth-and-we-re-a-very/) [Anne Lamott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anne-lamott/) > [Eve kissed Able, that's how he got murdered by Cain.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lou-reed/eve-kissed-able-that-s-how-he-got-murdered-by-cain/) [Lou Reed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lou-reed/) > [“You'll never think of the old Cain and Abel battle the same way. Day's gripping, compelling, and kick-ass Eve of Darkness will have you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/toni-mcgee-causey/you-ll-never-think-of-the-old-cain-and-abel-battle-the-same-way-day-s/) [Toni McGee Causey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/toni-mcgee-causey/) > [“We can't chose family," Cain agreed. "But we can chose our friends.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tina-folsom/we-can-t-chose-family-cain-agreed-but-we-can-chose-our-friends/) [Tina Folsom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tina-folsom/) > [Livin' is like pourin' water out of a tumbler into a dang Coca-Cola bottle. If'n you skeered you can't do it, you cain't. If'n…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/olive-ann-burns/livin-is-like-pourin-water-out-of-a-tumbler-into-a-dang-coca-cola/) [Olive Ann Burns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/olive-ann-burns/) > [“One part of my brain, soaring on adrenaline, insisted I could take Cain, whatever the size difference. Another part wondered where the hell Nick…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelley-armstrong/one-part-of-my-brain-soaring-on-adrenaline-insisted-i-could-take-cain/) [Kelley Armstrong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelley-armstrong/) > [Don't tell me to leave-you leave. If Obama, if Clinton, if Mittens Romney, if Rick Santorum, if Neutered Gingrich, if Herman '999 666' Cain,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gerald-celente/don-t-tell-me-to-leave-you-leave-if-obama-if-clinton-if-mittens/) [Gerald Celente](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gerald-celente/) [Browse all 183 Cain quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cain/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "PRE-ADAMITE, n. One of an experimental and apparently unsatisfactory race of antedated Creation. . . . 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