Top 985 Quotes & Sayings by Ambrose Bierce - Page 17

renown, n. A degree of distinction between notoriety and fame - a little more supportable than the one and a little more intolerable than the other. Sometimes it is conferred by an unfriendly and inconsiderate hand.

MISERICORDE, n. A dagger which in mediaeval warfare was used by the foot soldier to remind an unhorsed knight that he was mortal.

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 to create something that would justify them. The world is all created,said God, but you have overlooked something

PROVIDENTIAL, adj. Unexpectedly and conspicuously beneficial to the person so describing it.

resolute, adj. Obstinate in a course that we approve.

Hypocrisy: prejudice with a halo.

applause, n. The echo of a platitude.

adore, v.t. To venerate expectantly.

picture, n. A representation in two dimensions of something wearisome in three.

DELEGATION, n. In American politics, an article of merchandise that comes in sets.

predicament, n. The wage of consistency.

WHANGDEPOOTENAWAH, n. In the Ojibwa tongue, disaster; an unexpected affliction that strikes hard.

OBLIVION, n. The state or condition in which the wicked cease from struggling and the dreary are at rest. Fame's eternal dumping ground.

gratitude, n. A sentiment lying midway between a benefit received and a benefit expected.

CERBERUS, n. The watch-dog of Hades, whose duty it was to guard the entrance - against whom or what does not clearly appear; everybody, sooner or later, had to go there, and nobody wanted to carry off the entrance.

prospect, n. An outlook, usually forbidding. An expectation, usually forbidden.

predilection, n. The preparatory stage of disillusion.

YANKEE, n. In Europe, an American. In the Northern States of our Union, a New Englander. In the Southern States the word is unknown.

me, pro. The objectionable case of I. The personal pronoun in English has three cases, the dominative, the objectionable and the oppressive. Each is all three.

hybrid, n. A pooled issue.

critic, n. A person who boasts himself hard to please because nobody tries to please him.

A rabbit's foot may bring good luck to you, but it brought none to the rabbit.

Kindness n: A brief preface to ten volumes of exaction.

NON-COMBATANT, n. A dead Quaker.

art, n. This word has no definition.