Bride: A woman with a fine prospect of happiness behind her. Ambrose Bierce on happiness
History is an account, mostly false, of events, mostly unimportant, which are brought about by rulers, mostly knaves, and soldiers, mostly fools. Ambrose Bierce on history
The slightest acquaintance with history shows that powerful republics are the most warlike and unscrupulous of nations. Ambrose Bierce on history
Present, n. That part of eternity dividing the domain of disappointment from the realm of hope. Ambrose Bierce on hope
Religion. A daughter of Hope and Fear, explaining to Ignorance the nature of the Unknowable. Ambrose Bierce on hope
Litigant. A person about to give up his skin for the hope of retaining his bones. Ambrose Bierce on hope
Wit - the salt with which the American humorist spoils his intellectual cookery by leaving it out. Ambrose Bierce on humor
Liberty: One of Imagination's most precious possessions. Ambrose Bierce on imagination
Mad, adj. Affected with a high degree of intellectual independence. Ambrose Bierce on intelligence
In our civilization, and under our republican form of government, intelligence is so highly honored that it is rewarded by exemption from the cares of office. Ambrose Bierce on intelligence
Jealous, adj. Unduly concerned about the preservation of that which can be lost only if not worth keeping. Ambrose Bierce on jealousy
Faith: Belief without evidence in what is told by one who speaks without knowledge, of things without parallel. Ambrose Bierce on knowledge
The small part of ignorance that we arrange and classify we give the name of knowledge. Ambrose Bierce on knowledge
Ardor, n. The quality that distinguishes love without knowledge. Ambrose Bierce on knowledge
Learning, n. The kind of ignorance distinguishing the studious. Ambrose Bierce on learning
Lawsuit: A machine which you go into as a pig and come out of as a sausage. Ambrose Bierce on legal
Love: A temporary insanity curable by marriage. Ambrose Bierce on love
Love: A temporary insanity curable by marriage. Ambrose Bierce on marriage
Marriage, n: the state or condition of a community consisting of a master, a mistress, and two slaves, making in all, two. Ambrose Bierce on marriage
Women in love are less ashamed than men. They have less to be ashamed of. Ambrose Bierce on men