Ambrose Bierce Quotes, Country Quotes, War Quotes

Every patriot believes his country better than any other country . . . In its active manifestation-it is fond of killing-patriotism would be well enough if it were simply defensive, but it is also aggressive . . . Patriotism deliberately and with folly aforethought subordinates the interests of a whole to the interests of a part . . . Patriotism is fierce as a fever, pitiless as the grave and blind as a stone.

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Tags : Ambrose Bierce Quotes , Country Quotes , War Quotes

TALK, v.t. To commit an indiscretion without temptation, from an impulse without purpose.

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Tags : Ambrose Bierce Quotes , Temptation Quotes , Purpose Quotes

MARTYR, One who moves along the line of least reluctance to a desired death.

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REPARATION, n. Satisfaction that is made for a wrong and deducted from the satisfaction felt in committing it.

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ARENA, n. In politics, an imaginary rat-pit in which the statesman wrestles with his record.

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Tags : Ambrose Bierce Quotes , Pits Quotes , Records Quotes

Politics: A strife of interests masquerading as a contest of principles. The conduct of public affairs for private advantage.

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Tags : Ambrose Bierce Quotes , Political Will Quotes , Greed Quotes

Human nature is pretty well balanced; for every lacking virtue there is a rough substitute that will serve at a pinch--as cunning is the wisdom of the unwise, and ferocity the courage of the coward.

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Tags : Ambrose Bierce Quotes , Coward Quotes , Human Nature Quotes

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

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Absence blots people out. We really have no absent friends.

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Tags : Ambrose Bierce Quotes , People Quotes , Absence Quotes

EXISTENCE, n. A transient, horrible, fantastic dream,/ Wherein is nothing yet all things do seem:/ From which we're wakened by a friendly nudge/ Of our bedfellow Death, and cry: "O fudge!"

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Tags : Ambrose Bierce Quotes , Dream Quotes , Nudge Nudge Quotes

An election is nothing more than the advanced auction of stolen goods.

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Tags : Ambrose Bierce Quotes , Deception Quotes , Auctions Quotes

Along the road of life are many pleasure resorts, but think not that by tarrying in them you will take more days to the journey. The day of your arrival is already recorded.

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Tags : Ambrose Bierce Quotes , Life Quotes , Journey Quotes

Clairvoyant, n.: A person, commonly a woman, who has the power of seeing that which is invisible to her patron - namely, that he is a blockhead.

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Tags : Ambrose Bierce Quotes , Atheism Quotes , Invisible Quotes

Religion. A daughter of Hope and Fear, explaining to Ignorance the nature of the Unknowable.

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Tags : Ambrose Bierce Quotes , Daughter Quotes , Religious Quotes

There was never a genius who was not thought a fool until he disclosed himself; whereas he is a fool then only.

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Tags : Ambrose Bierce Quotes , Genius Quotes

Strive not for singularity in dress; Fools have the more and men of sense the less. To look original is not worth while, But be in mind a little out of style.

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Tags : Ambrose Bierce Quotes , Men Quotes , Mind Quotes

Incompatibility. In matrimony a similarity of tastes, particularly the taste for domination.

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We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal; that they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights; that among these are life, and the right to make that of another miserable by thrusting upon him an incalculable quantity of acquaintances; liberty, particularly the liberty to introduce persons to one another without first ascertaining if they are not already acquainted as enemies; and the pursuit of another's happiness with a running pack of strangers.

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Tags : Ambrose Bierce Quotes , Running Quotes , Men Quotes

HURRICANE, n. An atmospheric demonstration once very common but now generally abandoned for the tornado and cyclone. The hurricane is still in popular use in the West Indies and is preferred by certain old- fashioned sea-captains.

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Tags : Ambrose Bierce Quotes , Science Quotes , West Indies Quotes

INDIFFERENT, adj. Imperfectly sensible to distinctions among things.

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Tags : Ambrose Bierce Quotes , Indifference Quotes , Distinction Quotes