All Ambrose Bierce Quotes
- ACCOMPLICE, n. One associated with another in a crime, having guilty knowledge and complicity, as an attorney who defends a criminal, knowing him guilty. This… Accomplice
- CALLOUS, adj. Gifted with great fortitude to bear the evils afflicting another. When Zeno was told that one of his enemies was no more he… Adj Gifted
- Honorable, adj.: Afflicted with an impediment in one's reach. In legislative bodies, it is customary to mention all members as honorable; as, "the honorable gentleman… Adj Afflicted
- SCARABAEUS, n. The sacred beetle of the ancient Egyptians, allied to our familiar "tumble-bug." It was supposed to symbolize immortality, the fact that God knew… Allied
- Magpie, n.: A bird whose theivish disposition suggested to someone that it might be taught to talk. Bird
- HOG, n. A bird remarkable for the catholicity of its appetite and serving to illustrate that of ours. Among the Mahometans and Jews, the hog… Among
- REVOLUTION, n. A bursting of the boilers which usually takes place when the safety valve of public discussion is closed. Boiler
- PRIMATE, n. The head of a church, especially a State church supported by involuntary contributions. The Primate of England is the Archbishop of Canterbury, an… Abbey
- ZANY, n. A popular character in old Italian plays, who imitated with ludicrous incompetence the _buffone_, or clown, and was therefore the ape of an… Another Excellent
- TECHNICALITY, n. In an English court a man named Home was tried for slander in having accused his neighbor of murder. His exact words were:… Accused
- Self-denial is indulgence of a propensity to forego. Denial
- LAOCOON, n. A famous piece of antique scripture representing a priest of that name and his two sons in the folds of two enormous serpents.… Antique
- ULTIMATUM, n. In diplomacy, a last demand before resorting to concessions. Concessions
- ECCENTRICITY, n. A method of distinction so cheap that fools employ it to accentuate their incapacity. Accentuate
- When you are ill make haste to forgive your enemies, for you may recover. Enemies
- PERFECTION, n. An imaginary state of quality distinguished from the actual by an element known as excellence; an attribute of the critic. The editor of… Actual
- TEDIUM, n. Ennui, the state or condition of one that is bored. Many fanciful derivations of the word have been affirmed, but so high an… Affirmed
- Salamander: Originally a reptile inhabiting fire; later, an anthropomorphous immortal, but still a pyrophile. Salamanders are now believed to be extinct, the last one of… Abbe
- HATRED, n. A sentiment appropriate to the occasion of another's superiority. Appropriate
- INTIMACY, n. A relation into which fools are providentially drawn for their mutual destruction. Destruction
- MISERICORDE, n. A dagger which in mediaeval warfare was used by the foot soldier to remind an unhorsed knight that he was mortal. Dagger
- A pessimist asked God for relief. Ah, you wish me to restore your hope and cheerfulness, said God. No, replied the petitioner, I wish you… Ah
- NON-COMBATANT, n. A dead Quaker. Combatant
- REPARATION, n. Satisfaction that is made for a wrong and deducted from the satisfaction felt in committing it. Committing
- REDRESS, n. Reparation without satisfaction. Inspirational