Ambrose Bierce quotes - page 3

Ambrose Bierce was an American writer, journalist, and satirist, best known for his wit and dark, sardonic style. His most famous works include “The Devil’s Dictionary” and a number of chilling short stories such as “An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge.” He remains a mysterious figure due to his unexplained disappearance in Mexico. Here are 784 of his quotes:

Ocean: A body of water occupying about two-thirds of a world made for man - who has no gills.

Ambrose Bierce

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

Ambrose Bierce

Pray: To ask the laws of the universe to be annulled on behalf of a single petitioner confessedly unworthy.

Ambrose Bierce

Saint: A dead sinner revised and edited.

Ambrose Bierce

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

Ambrose Bierce

Success, n. The one unpardonable sin against one's fellows.

Ambrose Bierce

DIPLOMACY, n. Lying in state, or the patriotic art of lying for one's country.

Ambrose Bierce

Sabbath - a weekly festival having its origin in the fact that God made the world in six days and was arrested on the seventh.

Ambrose Bierce

Prejudice - a vagrant opinion without visible means of support.

Ambrose Bierce

Fidelity - a virtue peculiar to those who are about to be betrayed.

Ambrose Bierce

RATIONAL, adj. Devoid of all delusions save those of observation, experience and reflection.

Ambrose Bierce

JUSTICE, n. A commodity which is a more or less adulterated condition the State sells to the citizen as a reward for his allegiance, taxes and personal service.

Ambrose Bierce

GENEROUS, adj. Originally this word meant noble by birth and was rightly applied to a great multitude of persons. It now means noble by nature and is taking a bit of a rest.

Ambrose Bierce

SELF-denial, n. Indulgence of a propensity to forego.

Ambrose Bierce

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

Ambrose Bierce

DAWN, n. The time when men of reason go to bed.

Ambrose Bierce

CIRCUS, n. A place where horses, ponies and elephants are permitted to see men, women and children acting the fool.

Ambrose Bierce

SELFISH, adj. Devoid of consideration for the selfishness of others.

Ambrose Bierce

RESIGN, v.t. To renounce an honor for an advantage. To renounce an advantage for a greater advantage.

Ambrose Bierce

Heaven, n. A place where the wicked cease from troubling you with talk of their personal affairs, and the good listen with attention while you expound your own.

Ambrose Bierce

INSURRECTION, n. An unsuccessful revolution. Disaffection's failure to substitute misrule for bad government.

Ambrose Bierce

Day, n. A period of twenty-four hours, mostly misspent.

Ambrose Bierce