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Quote by Ambrose Bierce

“WOMAN, n. An animal usually living in the vicinity of Man, and having a rudimentary susceptibility to domestication.”

Quote by Ambrose Bierce

Book:The Unabridged Devil's Dictionary

Work

The Unabridged Devil's Dictionary

This book is a compilation of witty and often irreverent definitions, challenging conventional meanings and offering a critical commentary on society and human nature. It is a work of literary wit and social critique, celebrated for its clever wordplay and sharp observations. more

Author

Ambrose Bierce was an American journalist, satirist, and editor, renowned for his sharp wit and dark humor. He is best known for his satirical novel 'The Devil's Dictionary' and his short stories. Bierce was born on June 24, 1842, and his exact date of death remains unknown, as he disappeared during the American Civil War. more

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“UNDERSTANDING, n. A cerebral secretion that enables one having it to know a house from a horse by the roof on the house. Its nature and laws have been exhaustively expounded by Locke, who rode a house, and Kant, who lived in a horse.”

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Book:Delphi Complete Works of Ambrose Bierce (Illustrated)

Source: Delphi Complete Works of Ambrose Bierce (Illustrated)

“SIREN, n. One of several musical prodigies famous for a vain attempt to dissuade Odysseus from a life on the ocean wave. Figuratively, any lady of splendid promise, dissembled purpose and disappointing performance.”

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Book:The Unabridged Devil's Dictionary

Source: The Unabridged Devil's Dictionary

“ROPE, n. An obsolescent appliance for reminding assassins that they too are mortal. It is put about the neck and remains in place one's whole life long.”

Life Long Whole Remains Whole Life Mortals Necks Rope Long Life Reminding Assassins Appliances

Book:Delphi Complete Works of Ambrose Bierce (Illustrated)

Source: Delphi Complete Works of Ambrose Bierce (Illustrated)

“REDEMPTION, n. Deliverance of sinners from the penalty of their sin, through their murder of the deity against whom they sinned . . . . whoso believeth in it shall not perish, but have everlasting life in which to try to understand it.”

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Book:The Unabridged Devil's Dictionary

Source: The Unabridged Devil's Dictionary

“RACK, n. An argumentative implement formerly much used in persuading devotees of a false faith to embrace the living truth. As a call to the unconverted the rack never had any particular efficacy, and is now held in light popular esteem.”

Life Light Truth Used Particular Embrace Esteem Efficacy Racks Devotee Persuading

Book:The Unabridged Devil's Dictionary

Source: The Unabridged Devil's Dictionary

“PILLORY, n. A mechanical device for inflicting personal distinction - prototype of the modern newspaper conducted by persons of austere virtues and blameless lives.”

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Book:The Devil's Dictionary: The Devil World

Source: The Devil's Dictionary: The Devil World

“PHONOGRAPH, n. An irritating toy that restores life to dead noises.”

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Book:The Devil's Dictionary

Source: The Devil's Dictionary

“PARDON, v. To remit a penalty and restore to the life of crime. To add to the lure of crime the temptation of ingratitude.”

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Book:The Devil's Dictionary: Easyread Super Large 24pt Edition

Source: The Devil's Dictionary: Easyread Super Large 24pt Edition

“OPERA, n. A play representing life in another world, whose inhabitants have no speech but song, no motions but gestures and no postures but attitudes.”

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Book:The Unabridged Devil's Dictionary

Source: The Unabridged Devil's Dictionary

“ORPHAN, n. A living person whom death has deprived of the power of filial ingratitude . . .”

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Book:The Unabridged Devil's Dictionary

Source: The Unabridged Devil's Dictionary