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 (In this sense the word is obsolete; so is that kind of government.)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

Ambition. An overmastering desire to be vilified by enemies while living and made ridiculous by...

Ambition. An overmastering desire to be vilified by enemies while living and made ridiculous by...

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...

LAOCOON, n. A famous piece of antique scripture representing a priest of that name and...

LAOCOON, n. A famous piece of antique scripture representing a priest of that name and...

Mad, adj. Affected with a high degree of intellectual independence.

Mad, adj. Affected with a high degree of intellectual independence.

Infidel: In New York, one who does not believe in the Christian religion; in Constantinople,...

Infidel: In New York, one who does not believe in the Christian religion; in Constantinople,...

SIREN, n. One of several musical prodigies famous for a vain attempt to dissuade Odysseus...

SIREN, n. One of several musical prodigies famous for a vain attempt to dissuade Odysseus...

Corporation: An ingenious device for obtaining profit without individual responsibility.

Corporation: An ingenious device for obtaining profit without individual responsibility.

Present, n. That part of eternity dividing the domain of disappointment from the realm of...

Present, n. That part of eternity dividing the domain of disappointment from the realm of...

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

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

Alien - an American sovereign in his probationary state.

Alien - an American sovereign in his probationary state.

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...

Love: A temporary insanity curable by marriage.

Love: A temporary insanity curable by marriage.

Opportunity is a favorable occasion for grasping a disappointment

Opportunity is a favorable occasion for grasping a disappointment

History is an account mostly false, of events mostly unimportant, which are brought about by...

History is an account mostly false, of events mostly unimportant, which are brought about by...

The most affectionate creature in the world is a wet dog

The most affectionate creature in the world is a wet dog

Immortality: A toy which people cry for, And on their knees apply for, Dispute, contend...

Immortality: A toy which people cry for, And on their knees apply for, Dispute, contend...

Convent - a place of retirement for women who wish for leisure to meditate upon...

Convent - a place of retirement for women who wish for leisure to meditate upon...

Ambidextrous, adj.: Able to pick with equal skill a right-hand pocket or a left.

Ambidextrous, adj.: Able to pick with equal skill a right-hand pocket or a left.

A man is known by the company he organizes.

A man is known by the company he organizes.

Coward: One who, in a perilous emergency, thinks with his legs.

Coward: One who, in a perilous emergency, thinks with his legs.