Eulogy. Praise of a person who has either the advantages of wealth and power, or the consideration to be dead. Ambrose Bierce on power
Religion. A daughter of Hope and Fear, explaining to Ignorance the nature of the Unknowable. Ambrose Bierce on religion
Mayonnaise: One of the sauces which serve the French in place of a state religion. Ambrose Bierce on religion
We submit to the majority because we have to. But we are not compelled to call our attitude of subjection a posture of respect. Ambrose Bierce on respect
Land: A part of the earth's surface, considered as property. The theory that land is property subject to private ownership and control is the foundation of modern society, and is eminently worthy of the superstructure. Ambrose Bierce on society
Academe, n.: An ancient school where morality and philosophy were taught. Academy, n.: A modern school where football is taught. Ambrose Bierce on sports
Success is the one unpardonable sin against our fellows. Ambrose Bierce on success
Perseverance - a lowly virtue whereby mediocrity achieves an inglorious success. Ambrose Bierce on success
Telephone, n. An invention of the devil which abrogates some of the advantages of making a disagreeable person keep his distance. Ambrose Bierce on technology
Inventor: A person who makes an ingenious arrangement of wheels, levers and springs, and believes it civilization. Ambrose Bierce on technology
Day, n. A period of twenty-four hours, mostly misspent. Ambrose Bierce on time
Future. That period of time in which our affairs prosper, our friends are true and our happiness is assured. Ambrose Bierce on time
Doubt, indulged and cherished, is in danger of becoming denial but if honest, and bent on thorough investigation, it may soon lead to full establishment of the truth. Ambrose Bierce on truth
Friendless. Having no favors to bestow. Destitute of fortune. Addicted to utterance of truth and common sense. Ambrose Bierce on truth
Who never doubted, never half believed. Where doubt is, there truth is - it is her shadow. Ambrose Bierce on truth
War is God's way of teaching Americans geography. Ambrose Bierce on war
What this country needs what every country needs occasionally is a good hard bloody war to revive the vice of patriotism on which its existence as a nation depends. Ambrose Bierce on war
Bride: A woman with a fine prospect of happiness behind her. Ambrose Bierce on wedding
Experience - the wisdom that enables us to recognise in an undesirable old acquaintance the folly that we have already embraced. Ambrose Bierce on wisdom
Women in love are less ashamed than men. They have less to be ashamed of. Ambrose Bierce on women