--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: TELESCOPE, n. A device having a relation…" description: "\"TELESCOPE, n. A device having a relation to the eye similar to that of the telephone to the ear, enabling distant objects to plague us with a multitude..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/21f/ambrose-bierce-140_bells_telescope-n-a-device-having-a-relation-t_815736.jpg" --- # TELESCOPE, n. A device having a relation to the eye… ![“TELESCOPE, n. A device having a relation to the eye similar to that of the telephone to the ear, enabling distant objects to plague us with a multitude of needless details. Luckily it is unprovided with a bell summoning us to the sacrifice.” quote by Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/21f/ambrose-bierce-140_bells_telescope-n-a-device-having-a-relation-t_815736.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/21f/ambrose-bierce-140_bells_telescope-n-a-device-having-a-relation-t_815736.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/21f/ambrose-bierce-140_bells_telescope-n-a-device-having-a-relation-t_815736.jpg) > “TELESCOPE, n. A device having a relation to the eye similar to that of the telephone to the ear, enabling distant objects to plague us with a multitude of needless details. Luckily it is unprovided with a bell summoning us to the sacrifice.” [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 telescope reveals distant details, but also overwhelms us with unnecessary information, unlike a bell that would warn us of sacrifice. **In simple terms:** Seeing far can bring excess detail that distracts from essential truth. Key Takeaway Beware of over‑analysis and focus on what matters. Themes perception technology information overload communication Mood critical reflective Type analytical philosophical When to use this quote - scientific observation - art criticism - daily decision making Key Concepts media theory cognitive load visual metaphor Questions to Reflect On - What details truly serve your purpose? - How can you filter noise? A Different Perspective Too much detail can paralyze rather than enlighten. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Bells](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bells/) [Humour](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/humour/) [Plague](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/plague/) [Sacrifice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sacrifice/) [Science](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/science/) [Telescopes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/telescopes/) ## Related quotes > [“The light from the next closest star, called Proxima Centauri, shows us how it looked just over four years ago. The light from a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carolyn-collins-petersen/the-light-from-the-next-closest-star-called-proxima-centauri-shows-us/) Carolyn Collins Petersen > [One should not seek happiness, just nurture the spirit of joy as the basis of summoning happiness. One should not try to escape misfortune,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zicheng-hong/one-should-not-seek-happiness-just-nurture-the-spirit-of-joy-as-the/) [Zicheng Hong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zicheng-hong/) > [Harriet Tubman, woman of earth, whipscarred, a summoning, a shinning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-hayden/harriet-tubman-woman-of-earth-whipscarred-a-summoning-a-shinning/) [Robert Hayden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-hayden/) > [With artificial intelligence, we are summoning the demon. In all those stories where there's the guy with the pentagram and the holy water, it's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elon-musk/with-artificial-intelligence-we-are-summoning-the-demon-in-all-those/) [Elon Musk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elon-musk/) > [Doughboy," I said. "What is this scroll?" "A spell lost in time!" he pronounced. "Ancient words of tremendous power!" "Well?" I demanded. "Does it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-riordan/doughboy-i-said-what-is-this-scroll-a-spell-lost-in-time-he/) [Rick Riordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-riordan/) > [Being a part of the crowd with incredible musicians onstage summoning the muse and delivering that to us - doesn't matter if it's an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-fabian/being-a-part-of-the-crowd-with-incredible-musicians-onstage-summoning/) [Patrick Fabian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-fabian/) > [Summoning up the courage to take action is always the same regardless of how seemingly big or small the challenge. What may look like…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nichiren/summoning-up-the-courage-to-take-action-is-always-the-same-regardless/) [Nichiren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nichiren/) > [Choking with dry tears and raging, raging, raging at the absolute indifference of nature and the world to the death of love, the death…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-fry/choking-with-dry-tears-and-raging-raging-raging-at-the-absolute/) [Stephen Fry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-fry/) > [There’s a moment of profound sadness that can be dispelled only by summoning my anger.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/libba-bray/there-s-a-moment-of-profound-sadness-that-can-be-dispelled-only-by/) [Libba Bray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/libba-bray/) > [Immensity is always there, but we so often become numb to it, or deceive ourselves into thinking our own lives and selves are what's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jane-hirshfield/immensity-is-always-there-but-we-so-often-become-numb-to-it-or/) [Jane Hirshfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jane-hirshfield/) > [You're telling me that you can raise the dead by simply summoning?" "Yes." "My God," she whispered, staring at me."What have they done?" Hearing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelley-armstrong/you-re-telling-me-that-you-can-raise-the-dead-by-simply-summoning-yes/) [Kelley Armstrong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelley-armstrong/) > [“You are summoning Demons-" "No, I'm summoning angels ." The same claptrap Justin had been spewing earlier. Where did they get their ideas? There…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aldous-mercer/you-are-summoning-demons-no-i-m-summoning-angels-the-same-claptrap/) [Aldous Mercer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aldous-mercer/) > [When you say "I am," the words that follow are summoning creation with a mighty force, because you are declaring it to be fact.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rhonda-byrne/when-you-say-i-am-the-words-that-follow-are-summoning-creation-with-a/) [Rhonda Byrne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rhonda-byrne/) > [It took a qualified wizard to detect a summoning in progress. It required only a half-literate idiot with a twitch of power and a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ilona-andrews/it-took-a-qualified-wizard-to-detect-a-summoning-in-progress-it/) [Ilona Andrews](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ilona-andrews/) > [I think we should be very careful about artificial intelligence. If I had to guess at what our biggest existential threat is, it's probably…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elon-musk/i-think-we-should-be-very-careful-about-artificial-intelligence-if-i/) [Elon Musk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elon-musk/) ## 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 Bells quotes > [You’re crazy,” said her best friend, Angela, as the bell rang to signal five minutes before the first class on the first day back…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-rees-brennan/you-re-crazy-said-her-best-friend-angela-as-the-bell-rang-to-signal/) [Sarah Rees Brennan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-rees-brennan/) > [Your name is a golden bell hung in my heart. I would break my body to pieces to call you once by your name.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-s-beagle/your-name-is-a-golden-bell-hung-in-my-heart-i-would-break-my-body-to/) [Peter S. Beagle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-s-beagle/) > [“Suddenly the air was full of that deep clangor of bells which periodically covers Rome with a roof of silver.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edith-wharton/suddenly-the-air-was-full-of-that-deep-clangor-of-bells-which/) [Edith Wharton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edith-wharton/) > [Hercules used noise! Brass bells! He scared them away with the most horrible sound he could-" said Percy "Percy... Chiron's collection!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-riordan/hercules-used-noise-brass-bells-he-scared-them-away-with-the-most/) [Rick Riordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-riordan/) > [Above the clouds I lift my wing To hear the bells of Heaven ring; Some of their music, though my fights be wild, To…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edmund-clarence-stedman/above-the-clouds-i-lift-my-wing-to-hear-the-bells-of-heaven-ring-some/) [Edmund Clarence Stedman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edmund-clarence-stedman/) > [“But it’s bells at twenty-seven thousand feet as the plane breaks into the clear again, as its motion steadies again; it is bells; it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-king/but-it-s-bells-at-twenty-seven-thousand-feet-as-the-plane-breaks-into/) [Stephen King](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-king/) > [You run the football for toughness. You run the ball to tell your opponent that you're as tough as they are. But you throw…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerry-glanville/you-run-the-football-for-toughness-you-run-the-ball-to-tell-your/) Jerry Glanville > [In cloths cheap handsomeness, doth bear the bell.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-herbert/in-cloths-cheap-handsomeness-doth-bear-the-bell/) [George Herbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-herbert/) > [Man preys on man; and you mourn for the idle tapestry that decorated a gothic pillar, and the dronish bell that summoned the fat…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-wollstonecraft/man-preys-on-man-and-you-mourn-for-the-idle-tapestry-that-decorated-a/) [Mary Wollstonecraft](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-wollstonecraft/) > [The Bell curve is a fact of life. The blacks on average score 85 per cent on IQ and it is accurate, nothing to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lee-kuan-yew/the-bell-curve-is-a-fact-of-life-the-blacks-on-average-score-85-per/) [Lee Kuan Yew](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lee-kuan-yew/) > [There is nothing better for me than to bring the bells in, in Scotland.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sharleen-spiteri/there-is-nothing-better-for-me-than-to-bring-the-bells-in-in-scotland/) [Sharleen Spiteri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sharleen-spiteri/) > [Now see that noble and most sovereign reason, Like sweet bells jangled, out of tune and harsh.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/now-see-that-noble-and-most-sovereign-reason-like-sweet-bells-jangled/) [William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/) > [ I became an instant fan of the show \[Underground\] seconds into the opening frames of the pilot. 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