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Results of search for Author: Ambrose Bierce - Page 17 of 100 Showing results 161 to 170 of 993 total quotations found.
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Results from The Devil's Dictionary (Ambrose Bierce):

BOUNTY, n. The liberality of one who has much, in permitting one who has nothing to get all that he can. A single swallow, it is said, devours ten millions of insects every year. The supplying of these insects I take to be a signal instance of the Creator's bounty in providing for the lives of His creatures. Henry Ward Beecher: Ambrose Bierce (1842 - 1914), The Devil's Dictionary
BRAHMA, n. He who created the Hindoos, who are preserved by Vishnu and destroyed by Siva -- a rather neater division of labor than is found among the deities of some other nations. The Abracadabranese, for example, are created by Sin, maintained by Theft and destroyed by Folly. The priests of Brahma, like those of Abracadabranese, are holy and learned men who are never naughty. O Brahma, thou rare old Divinity, First Person of the Hindoo Trinity, You sit there so calm and securely, With feet folded up so demurely -- You're the First Person Singular, surely. Polydore Smith: Ambrose Bierce (1842 - 1914), The Devil's Dictionary
BRAIN, n. An apparatus with which we think what we think. That which distinguishes the man who is content to _be_ something from the man who wishes to _do_ something. A man of great wealth, or one who has been pitchforked into high station, has commonly such a headful of brain that his neighbors cannot keep their hats on. In our civilization, and under our republican form of government, brain is so highly honored that it is rewarded by exemption from the cares of office.: Ambrose Bierce (1842 - 1914), The Devil's Dictionary
BRANDY, n. A cordial composed of one part thunder-and-lightning, one part remorse, two parts bloody murder, one part death-hell-and-the- grave and four parts clarified Satan. Dose, a headful all the time. Brandy is said by Dr. Johnson to be the drink of heroes. Only a hero will venture to drink it.: Ambrose Bierce (1842 - 1914), The Devil's Dictionary
BRUTE, n. See HUSBAND.: Ambrose Bierce (1842 - 1914), The Devil's Dictionary
CAABA, n. A large stone presented by the archangel Gabriel to the patriarch Abraham, and preserved at Mecca. The patriarch had perhaps asked the archangel for bread.: Ambrose Bierce (1842 - 1914), The Devil's Dictionary
CABBAGE, n. A familiar kitchen-garden vegetable about as large and wise as a man's head. The cabbage is so called from Cabagius, a prince who on ascending the throne issued a decree appointing a High Council of Empire consisting of the members of his predecessor's Ministry and the cabbages in the royal garden. When any of his Majesty's measures of state policy miscarried conspicuously it was gravely announced that several members of the High Council had been beheaded, and his murmuring subjects were appeased.: Ambrose Bierce (1842 - 1914), The Devil's Dictionary
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 was observed to be deeply moved. "What!" said one of his disciples, "you weep at the death of an enemy?" "Ah, 'tis true," replied the great Stoic; "but you should see me smile at the death of a friend.": Ambrose Bierce (1842 - 1914), The Devil's Dictionary
CALUMNUS, n. A graduate of the School for Scandal.: Ambrose Bierce (1842 - 1914), The Devil's Dictionary
CAMEL, n. A quadruped (the _Splaypes humpidorsus_) of great value to the show business. There are two kinds of camels -- the camel proper and the camel improper. It is the latter that is always exhibited.: Ambrose Bierce (1842 - 1914), The Devil's Dictionary

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Results of search for Author: Ambrose Bierce - Page 17 of 100 Showing results 161 to 170 of 993 total quotations found.

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