Ambrose Bierce Quotes

"Present, n. That part of eternity dividing the domain of disappointment from the realm of hope."

on Hope

"A popular author is one who writes what the people think. Genius invites them to think something else."

on Writing

"History n: an account mostly false of events mostly unimportant which are brought about by rulers mostly knaves and soldiers mostly fools."

on History

"Epitaph n: an inscription on a tomb showing that virtues acquired by death have a retroactive effect."

on Death

"Academe, n.: An ancient school where morality and philosophy were taught. Academy, n.: A modern school where football is taught."

on Humor

"Cynic, n. A blackguard whose faulty vision sees things as they are not as they ought to be."

on Perception

"TELEPHONE n. An invention of the devil which abrogates some of the advantages of making a disagreeable person keep his distance."

on Humor

"JEALOUS, adj. Unduly concerned about the preservation of that which can be lost only if not worth keeping."

on Jealousy

"Conservative, n: A statesman who is enamored of existing evils, as distinguished from the Liberal who wishes to replace them with others."

on Politics

"Education n: that which discloses to the wise and disguises from the foolish their lack of understanding."

on Wisdom

"Destiny n: a tyrant's authority for crime and a fool's excuse for failure."

on Philosophy

"Acquaintance n: a person whom we know well enough to borrow from but not well enough to lend to."

on Relationships

"Philosophy: A route of many roads leading from nowhere to nothing."

on Philosophy

"Corporation: An ingenious device for obtaining profit without individual responsibility."

on Wisdom

"Ignoramus: a person unacquainted with certain kinds of knowledge familiar to yourself and having certain other kinds that you know nothing about."

on Wisdom