Belladonna, n.: In Italian a beautiful lady; in English a deadly poison. A striking example of the essential identity of the two tongues.

Quote by Ambrose Bierce

Topics: Beauty Quotes, Language Quotes

Dawn: When men of reason go to bed.

Dawn: When men of reason go to bed.

Architect. One who drafts a plan of your house, and plans a draft of your...

Architect. One who drafts a plan of your house, and plans a draft of your...

Absence blots people out. We really have no absent friends.

Absence blots people out. We really have no absent friends.

All are lunatics, but he who can analyze his delusions is called a philosopher.

All are lunatics, but he who can analyze his delusions is called a philosopher.

Erudition - dust shaken out of a book into an empty skull.

Erudition - dust shaken out of a book into an empty skull.

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

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

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

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

Deliberation, n.: The act of examining one's bread to determine which side it is buttered...

Deliberation, n.: The act of examining one's bread to determine which side it is buttered...

SAFETY-CLUTCH, n. A mechanical device acting automatically to prevent the fall of an elevator, or...

SAFETY-CLUTCH, n. A mechanical device acting automatically to prevent the fall of an elevator, or...

Forgetfulness - a gift of God bestowed upon debtors in compensation for their destitution of...

Forgetfulness - a gift of God bestowed upon debtors in compensation for their destitution of...

All are lunatics, but he who can analyze his delusion is called a philosopher.

All are lunatics, but he who can analyze his delusion is called a philosopher.

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...

Compromise, n. Such an adjustment of conflicting interests as gives each adversary the satisfaction of...

Compromise, n. Such an adjustment of conflicting interests as gives each adversary the satisfaction of...

Anoint, v.: To grease a king or other great functionary already sufficiently slippery.

Anoint, v.: To grease a king or other great functionary already sufficiently slippery.

Scriptures: the sacred books of our holy religion, as distinguished from the false and profane...

Scriptures: the sacred books of our holy religion, as distinguished from the false and profane...

Impiety. Your irreverence toward my deity.

Impiety. Your irreverence toward my deity.

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

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

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...

Curiosity, n. An objectionable quality of the female mind. The desire to know whether or...

Curiosity, n. An objectionable quality of the female mind. The desire to know whether or...

Historian - a broad-gauge gossip.

Historian - a broad-gauge gossip.