Quotessence
Home / Books / Delphi Complete Works of Ambrose Bierce (Illustrated)

Delphi Complete Works of Ambrose Bierce (Illustrated)

Book by Ambrose Bierce · 6 quotes · Men, Science, Humour

Filter quotes by topic

AllMenScienceHumourKnownKnowsNaturalAgeCulinaryFoodHas BeensKindThinkingCookingLifeMayPersonsReligionTwoWomenArt

Delphi Complete Works of Ambrose Bierce (Illustrated) Quotes

“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 authority as Father Jape says that it comes from a very obvious source --the first words of the ancient Latin hymn _Te Deum Laudamus_. In this apparently natural derivation there is something that saddens.”

FirstsHas BeensStatesFatherNaturalConditionsSourceAuthorityAncientObviousBoredFancyLatinHymnsEnnuiTedium
Book:Delphi Complete Works of Ambrose Bierce (Illustrated)
Create image

“The most offensive egotist is he that fears to say "I" and "me." "It will probably rain" - that is dogmatic. "I think it will rain" - that is natural and modest. Montaigne is the most delightful of essayists because so great is his humility that he does not think it important that we see not Montaigne. He so forgets himself that he employs no artifice to make us forget him.”

ThinkingDoeImportantNaturalForgetHumilityRainOffensiveModestDelightfulDogmaticArtificeEssayistsForget Him
Book:Delphi Complete Works of Ambrose Bierce (Illustrated)
Create image

“POTABLE, n. Suitable for drinking. Water is said to be potable; indeed, some declare it our natural beverage, although even they find it palatable only when suffering from the recurrent disorder known as thirst, for which it is a medicine. Upon nothing has so great and diligent ingenuity been brought to bear in all ages and in all countries, except the most uncivilized, as upon the invention of substitutes for water. To hold that this general aversion to that liquid has no basis in the preservative instinct of the race is to be unscientific-and without science we are as the snakes and toads.”

SaidCountryAgeScienceSufferingWaterNaturalRaceKnownHumourBearsBasesMedicineDrinkingInstinctInventionCulinarySubstitutesDisorderThirstSnakesLiquidIngenuitySuitableAversionDiligentDrinking WaterToadsBeveragesUncivilized
Book:Delphi Complete Works of Ambrose Bierce (Illustrated)
Create image