Ambrose Bierce Quotes

American editorialist, journalist, short story writer, fabulist, and satirist (1842–1914)

Ambrose Gwinnett Bierce (June 24, 1842 – date of death uncertain; probably late 1912 or early 1914) was an American satirist, critic, short story writer, editor and journalist. He is perhaps most famous for his serialized mock lexicon, The Devil's Dictionary, in which, over the years, he scathed American culture and accepted wisdom by pointing out alternate, more practical definitions for common words.

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Pen Names: Dod Grile • William Herman

Birth Name: Ambrose Gwinnetter Bierice

Alternative Names: Ambrose Gwinnett Bierce

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Conocido, s. Persona a quien conocemos lo bastante para pedirle dinero prestado, pero no lo suficiente para prestarle. Grado de amistad que llamamos superficial cuando su objeto es pobre y oscuro, e íntimo cuando es rico y famoso.

KORAN, n. A book which the Mohammedans foolishly believe to have been written by divine inspiration, but which Christians know to be a wicked imposture, contradictory to the Holy Scriptures.

Abstainer, n. A weak person who yields to the temptation of denying himself a pleasure. A total abstainer is one who abstains from everything but abstention, and especially from inactivity in the affairs of others.

Pray, v. To ask that the laws of the universe be annulled in behalf of a single petitioner confessedly unworthy.

Gravitación, s. Tendencia de todos los cuerpos a acercarse unos a otros con fuerza proporcional a la cantidad de materia que contienen; la cantidad de materia que contienen se determina por la tendencia a acercarse unos a otros. Bello y edificante ejemplo de cómo la ciencia, después de hacer de A la prueba de B, hace de B la prueba de A.

BIGOT, n. One who is obstinately and zealously attached to an opinion that you do not entertain.

there may be thunder in Europe but it is in America the lightning will fall

BEAUTY, n. The power by which a woman charms a lover and terrifies a husband.

MISFORTUNE, n. The kind of fortune that never misses.

A guerra é a forma de Deus ensinar geografia aos americanos.

BRIDE, n. A woman with a fine prospect of happiness behind her.

Liberty, n. One of imagination's most precious possessions.

The fact that boys are allowed to exist at all is evidence of remarkable Christian forbearance among men--were it not for a mawkish humanitarianism, coupled with imperfect digestive powers, we should devour our young, as Nature intended.

Backbite, v.t. To speak of a man as you find him when he can't find you.

ZEUS, n. The chief of Grecian gods, adored by the Romans as Jupiter and by the modern Americans as God, Gold, Mob and Dog.

Ambrose Bierce Quotes

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