Ambrose Bierce quotes - page 19

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. (Ambrose Bierce)
PROSPECT, n. An outlook, usually forbidding. An expectation, usually forbidden. View quote
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PREDILECTION, n. The preparatory stage of disillusion. View quote
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ADHERENT, n. A follower who has not yet obtained all that he expects to get. View quote
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RECOLLECT, v. To recall with additions something not previously known. View quote
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SCRIBBLER, n. A professional writer whose views are antagonistic to one's own. View quote
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PLEASURE, n. The least hateful form of dejection. View quote
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DIAPHRAGM, n. A muscular partition separating disorders of the chest from disorders of the bowels. View quote
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REDRESS, n. Reparation without satisfaction. View quote
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NON-COMBATANT, n. A dead Quaker. View quote
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MISERICORDE, n. A dagger which in mediaeval warfare was used by the foot soldier to remind an unhorsed knight that he was mortal. (Ambrose Bierce)
ECCENTRICITY, n. A method of distinction so cheap that fools employ it to accentuate their incapacity. View quote
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PROOF, n. Evidence having a shade more of plausibility than of unlikelihood. The testimony of two credible witnesses as opposed to that of only one. View quote
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RADIUM, n. A mineral that gives off heat and stimulates the organ that a scientist is a fool with. View quote
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REACH, n. The radius of action of the human hand. The area within which it is possible (and customary) to gratify directly the propensity to provide. View quote
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PICTURE, n. A representation in two dimensions of something wearisome in three. View quote
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JESTER, n. An officer attached to the king's household to amuse the court by ludicrous actions and utterances ... the king's own conduct and decrees being sufficiently ridiculous for the amusement not only of his court but of all mankind. View quote
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POLICE, n. An armed force for protection and participation. View quote
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PENITENT, adj. Undergoing or awaiting punishment. View quote
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RESPIRATOR, n. An apparatus fitted over the nose and mouth of an inhabitant of London, whereby to filter the visible universe in its passage to the lungs. View quote
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NONSENSE, n. The objections that are urged against this excellent dictionary. (Ambrose Bierce)
PIE, n. An advance agent of the reaper whose name is Indigestion. View quote
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PORTUGUESE, n.pl. A species of geese indigenous to Portugal. They are mostly without feathers and imperfectly edible, even when stuffed with garlic. View quote
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I think I think, therefore I think I am. View quote
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TRICHINOSIS, n. The pig's reply to proponents of porcophagy. View quote
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