--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: RACK, n. An argumentative implement…" description: "\"RACK, n. An argumentative implement formerly much used in persuading devotees of a false faith to embrace the living truth. As a call to the unconverte..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/71c/ambrose-bierce-140_devotee_rack-n-an-argumentative-implement-former_1534294.jpg" --- # RACK, n. An argumentative implement formerly much used in… ![“RACK, n. An argumentative implement formerly much used in persuading devotees of a false faith to embrace the living truth. As a call to the unconverted the rack never had any particular efficacy, and is now held in light popular esteem.” quote by Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/71c/ambrose-bierce-140_devotee_rack-n-an-argumentative-implement-former_1534294.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/71c/ambrose-bierce-140_devotee_rack-n-an-argumentative-implement-former_1534294.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/71c/ambrose-bierce-140_devotee_rack-n-an-argumentative-implement-former_1534294.jpg) > “RACK, n. An argumentative implement formerly much used in persuading devotees of a false faith to embrace the living truth. As a call to the unconverted the rack never had any particular efficacy, and is now held in light popular esteem.” [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 rack is a tool used to force belief in false doctrines, now seen as ineffective and mocked. **In simple terms:** A device once used to coerce belief, now ridiculed. Key Takeaway Question the power of coercive persuasion. Themes religion power skepticism Mood cynical critical Type satirical commentary When to use this quote - political debate - religious conversion - public speaking - media criticism Key Concepts coercion faith truth Questions to Reflect On - How does coercion affect belief? - Can truth be imposed? A Different Perspective Effectiveness of forceful persuasion is limited. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Argumentative Implement](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/argumentative-implement-5700234/) [Devotee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/devotee/) [Efficacy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/efficacy/) [Embrace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/embrace/) [Esteem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/esteem/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Light](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/light/) [Particular](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/particular/) [Persuading](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/persuading/) [Rack](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/rack/) [Rack Argumentative](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/rack-argumentative-5700231/) [Rack Particular](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/rack-particular-5700232/) [Racks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/racks/) [Respect](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/respect/) [Truth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/truth/) [Unconverted Rack](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/unconverted-rack-5700233/) [Used](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/used/) ## Related quotes > [It's very important to me that I look good when I go out publicly. I like looking at my clothes rack in the morning…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anna-wintour/it-s-very-important-to-me-that-i-look-good-when-i-go-out-publicly-i/) [Anna Wintour](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anna-wintour/) > [Gleason used to rack balls for me when he was a kid in Brooklyn and in Long Island.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/gleason-used-to-rack-balls-for-me-when-he-was-a-kid-in-brooklyn-and/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [My wife and I make the bed every morning, but it's a queen size bed today, as opposed to a rack, you know, a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-h-mcraven/my-wife-and-i-make-the-bed-every-morning-but-it-s-a-queen-size-bed/) [William H. McRaven](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-h-mcraven/) > [My goal has never been to see how many stats I can rack up.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karen-bardsley/my-goal-has-never-been-to-see-how-many-stats-i-can-rack-up/) [Karen Bardsley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karen-bardsley/) > [You want to look fashionable and put-together, not like you hit every sale rack this season.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tommy-hilfiger/you-want-to-look-fashionable-and-put-together-not-like-you-hit-every/) [Tommy Hilfiger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tommy-hilfiger/) > [For 'Death Magnetic,' I used what I always use, which is my standard touring rack, which is filled with some Boogie stuff and a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kirk-hammett/for-death-magnetic-i-used-what-i-always-use-which-is-my-standard/) [Kirk Hammett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kirk-hammett/) > [“hung on the rack, besides numerous other small portable articles of vertu that”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/various/hung-on-the-rack-besides-numerous-other-small-portable-articles-of/) [Various](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/various/) > [In the old days men had the rack. Now they have the Press.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oscar-wilde/in-the-old-days-men-had-the-rack-now-they-have-the-press/) [Oscar Wilde](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oscar-wilde/) > [I keep recording and recording, but they always stay on the rack and never get out there.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tiny-tim/i-keep-recording-and-recording-but-they-always-stay-on-the-rack-and/) [Tiny Tim](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tiny-tim/) > [I can't buy stuff off the rack. I have big shoulders and I sort of taper in.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-carpenter/i-can-t-buy-stuff-off-the-rack-i-have-big-shoulders-and-i-sort-of/) [Richard Carpenter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-carpenter/) > [Banks will fee you to death. If you bounce a check, the bank has a policy to re-post the check three more times to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-raymond/banks-will-fee-you-to-death-if-you-bounce-a-check-the-bank-has-a/) [Jonathan Raymond](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-raymond/) > [It's one thing to see the clothes on a rack, but it's interesting to see how they get brought to life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fabolous/it-s-one-thing-to-see-the-clothes-on-a-rack-but-it-s-interesting-to/) [Fabolous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fabolous/) > [I really like the idea of being utilitarian. My dream is to edit down my wardrobe and be very Japanese, where you have one…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erin-wasson/i-really-like-the-idea-of-being-utilitarian-my-dream-is-to-edit-down/) [Erin Wasson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erin-wasson/) > [Life is too short for a half-rack.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-mills/life-is-too-short-for-a-half-rack/) [Mike Mills](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-mills/) > [My stupid GPS can't find Rack City. Bitch.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/my-stupid-gps-can-t-find-rack-city-bitch/) [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 Devotee quotes > [The wonderful structure of the animal system will probably never permit us to look upon it as a merely physical apparatus, yet the demands…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-gorrie/the-wonderful-structure-of-the-animal-system-will-probably-never/) [John Gorrie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-gorrie/) > [Indian spirituality, proclaimed that the true Godhead was beyond number and count; that it had many manifestations which did not exclude or repel each…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ram-swarup/indian-spirituality-proclaimed-that-the-true-godhead-was-beyond/) [Ram Swarup](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ram-swarup/) > [Even virtue is an art; and even its devotees are divided into those who practise it and those who are merely amateurs.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marie-von-ebner-eschenbach/even-virtue-is-an-art-and-even-its-devotees-are-divided-into-those/) [Marie von Ebner-Eschenbach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marie-von-ebner-eschenbach/) > [The perfect mystic is not an ecstatic devotee lost in contemplation of Oneness, nor a saintly recluse shunning all commerce with mankind, but "the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abu-sa-id-abul-khayr/the-perfect-mystic-is-not-an-ecstatic-devotee-lost-in-contemplation/) [Abu-Sa'id Abul-Khayr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abu-sa-id-abul-khayr/) > [My doctrine means that I must identify myself with life, with everything that lives, that I must share the majesty of life in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mahatma-gandhi/my-doctrine-means-that-i-must-identify-myself-with-life-with/) [Mahatma Gandhi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mahatma-gandhi/) > [Krishna is God, and by chanting His Holy Names, the devotee quickly develops God-consciousness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-harrison/krishna-is-god-and-by-chanting-his-holy-names-the-devotee-quickly/) [George Harrison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-harrison/) > [The ability to handle stress increases with the practice of meditation. In a culture like ours in which inner, spiritual growth is totally neglected…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-goleman/the-ability-to-handle-stress-increases-with-the-practice-of/) [Daniel Goleman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-goleman/) > [Devotees are not impressed by the poverty or wealth in material sense in any way; what impresses is devotion.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/radhanath-swami/devotees-are-not-impressed-by-the-poverty-or-wealth-in-material-sense/) [Radhanath Swami](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/radhanath-swami/) > [Ramanama can be used only for a good, never for an evil end, or else thieves and robbers would be the greatest devotees.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mahatma-gandhi/ramanama-can-be-used-only-for-a-good-never-for-an-evil-end-or-else/) [Mahatma Gandhi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mahatma-gandhi/) > [As for me, I consider myself as a speck of the dust of the devotee's feet.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ramakrishna/as-for-me-i-consider-myself-as-a-speck-of-the-dust-of-the-devotee-s/) [Ramakrishna](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ramakrishna/) > [I have come to light the lamp of Love in your hearts, to see that it shines day by day with added luster. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sathya-sai-baba/i-have-come-to-light-the-lamp-of-love-in-your-hearts-to-see-that-it/) [Sathya Sai Baba](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sathya-sai-baba/) > [What good is a cow that neither gives milk nor conceives? Similarly, what is the value of the birth of a son if he…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chanakya/what-good-is-a-cow-that-neither-gives-milk-nor-conceives-similarly/) [Chanakya](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chanakya/) > [“उद्यत्भानुसहस्राभा चतुर्बाहुसमन्विता रागस्वरूपपाशाढ्या क्रोधाकाराङ्कुशोज्ज्वला ॥२ Udyath-bhaanu-sahara-aabhaa Chatu-r-baahu-sama-anwithaa Raga-swa-roopa-paasha-aadhya Kroedha-aakaara-angusha-o-ujjwalaa 2. Who enlightens and destroys evil of devotee, With four arms in all directions destroys…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/munindra-misra/udyath-bhaanu-sahara-aabhaa-chatu-r-baahu-sama-anwithaa-raga-swa/) [Munindra Misra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/munindra-misra/) > [A devotee has no agenda of his own. For him, the object of devotion is everything.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jaggi-vasudev/a-devotee-has-no-agenda-of-his-own-for-him-the-object-of-devotion-is/) [Jaggi Vasudev](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jaggi-vasudev/) > [Devotion as an act is vulgar. Devotion as a way of life is wonderful. If you are a great devotee, it is ugly. If…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jaggi-vasudev/devotion-as-an-act-is-vulgar-devotion-as-a-way-of-life-is-wonderful/) [Jaggi Vasudev](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jaggi-vasudev/) [Browse all 123 Devotee quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/devotee/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "RACK, n. An argumentative implement formerly much used in persuading devotees of a false faith to embrace the living truth. 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