ARISTOCRACY, n. Government by the best men. (In this sense the word is obsolete; so is that kind of government.) Fellows that wear downy hats and clean shirts --guilty of education and suspected of bank accounts.

Quote by Ambrose Bierce

Topics: Government Quotes

Reconsider, v. To seek a justification for a decision already made.

Reconsider, v. To seek a justification for a decision already made.

Admiral. That part of a warship which does the talking while the figurehead does the...

Admiral. That part of a warship which does the talking while the figurehead does the...

The slightest acquaintance with history shows that powerful republics are the most warlike and unscrupulous...

The slightest acquaintance with history shows that powerful republics are the most warlike and unscrupulous...

War is God's way of teaching Americans geography.

War is God's way of teaching Americans geography.

Patience, n. A minor form of dispair, disguised as a virtue.

Patience, n. A minor form of dispair, disguised as a virtue.

Rum, n. Generically, fiery liquors that produce madness in total abstainers.

Rum, n. Generically, fiery liquors that produce madness in total abstainers.

Education: That which discloses to the wise and disguises from the foolish their lack of...

Education: That which discloses to the wise and disguises from the foolish their lack of...

LONGEVITY, n. Uncommon extension of the fear of death.

LONGEVITY, n. Uncommon extension of the fear of death.

You are not permitted to kill a woman who has injured you, but nothing forbids...

You are not permitted to kill a woman who has injured you, but nothing forbids...

ALLIANCE, n. In international politics, the union of two thieves who have their hands so...

ALLIANCE, n. In international politics, the union of two thieves who have their hands so...

MINSTREL, adj. Formerly a poet, singer or musician; now a nigger with a color less...

MINSTREL, adj. Formerly a poet, singer or musician; now a nigger with a color less...

Revolution, n. In politics, an abrupt change in the form of misgovernment.

Revolution, n. In politics, an abrupt change in the form of misgovernment.

To apologize is to lay the foundation for a future offense.

To apologize is to lay the foundation for a future offense.

Education, n.: That which discloses to the wise and disguises from the foolish their lack...

Education, n.: That which discloses to the wise and disguises from the foolish their lack...

ADMINISTRATION, n. An ingenious abstraction in politics, designed to receive the kicks and cuffs due...

ADMINISTRATION, n. An ingenious abstraction in politics, designed to receive the kicks and cuffs due...

Optimism: The doctrine that everything is beautiful, including what is ugly, everything good, especially the...

Optimism: The doctrine that everything is beautiful, including what is ugly, everything good, especially the...

ADVICE, n. The smallest current coin. The man was in such deep distress, Said Tom,...

ADVICE, n. The smallest current coin. The man was in such deep distress, Said Tom,...

Love will ask you to step out of your comfort zone, to sacrifice and to...

Love will ask you to step out of your comfort zone, to sacrifice and to...

I have never yet figured out what to do about good advice that you get,...

I have never yet figured out what to do about good advice that you get,...

If you tell folks you're a college student, folks are so impressed. You can be...

If you tell folks you're a college student, folks are so impressed. You can be...