Experience - the wisdom that enables us to recognise in an undesirable old acquaintance the folly that we have already embraced.

Quote by Ambrose Bierce

Topics: Ambrose Bierce Quotes

OPTIMISM, n. The doctrine, or belief, that everything is beautiful, including what is ugly, everything...

OPTIMISM, n. The doctrine, or belief, that everything is beautiful, including what is ugly, everything...

Impartial - unable to perceive any promise of personal advantage from espousing either side of...

Impartial - unable to perceive any promise of personal advantage from espousing either side of...

Patriotism. Combustible rubbish ready to the torch of any one ambitious to illuminate his name.

Patriotism. Combustible rubbish ready to the torch of any one ambitious to illuminate his name.

Acquaintance. A person whom we know well enough to borrow from, but not well enough...

Acquaintance. A person whom we know well enough to borrow from, but not well enough...

Divorce: a resumption of diplomatic relations and rectification of boundaries.

Divorce: a resumption of diplomatic relations and rectification of boundaries.

TEETOTALER, n. One who abstains from strong drink, sometimes totally, sometimes tolerably totally.

TEETOTALER, n. One who abstains from strong drink, sometimes totally, sometimes tolerably totally.

Who never doubted, never half believed. Where doubt is, there truth is - it is...

Who never doubted, never half believed. Where doubt is, there truth is - it is...

Admiration, n. Our polite recognition of another's resemblance to ourselves.

Admiration, n. Our polite recognition of another's resemblance to ourselves.

Prejudice - a vagrant opinion without visible means of support.

Prejudice - a vagrant opinion without visible means of support.

The gambling known as business looks with austere disfavor upon the business known as gambling.

The gambling known as business looks with austere disfavor upon the business known as gambling.

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

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

Confidante: One entrusted by A with the secrets of B confided to herself by C.

Confidante: One entrusted by A with the secrets of B confided to herself by C.

PATRIOTISM, n. Combustible rubbish read to the torch of any one ambitious to illuminate his...

PATRIOTISM, n. Combustible rubbish read to the torch of any one ambitious to illuminate his...

TROGLODYTE, n. Specifically, a cave-dweller of the paleolithic period, after the Tree and before the...

TROGLODYTE, n. Specifically, a cave-dweller of the paleolithic period, after the Tree and before the...

Consult: To seek approval for a course of action already decided upon.

Consult: To seek approval for a course of action already decided upon.

Litigation: A machine which you go into as a pig and come out of as...

Litigation: A machine which you go into as a pig and come out of as...

Beauty, n: the power by which a woman charms a lover and terrifies a husband.

Beauty, n: the power by which a woman charms a lover and terrifies a husband.

JUSTICE, n. A commodity which is a more or less adulterated condition the State sells...

JUSTICE, n. A commodity which is a more or less adulterated condition the State sells...

For a justice of this ultimate tribunal, the opportunity for self-discovery and the occasion for...

For a justice of this ultimate tribunal, the opportunity for self-discovery and the occasion for...

Justice is better than chivalry if we cannot have both.

Justice is better than chivalry if we cannot have both.