Debt, n. An ingenious substitute for the chain and whip of the slavedriver.

Quote by Ambrose Bierce

Topics: Ambrose Bierce Quotes

OBSESSED, p.p. Vexed by an evil spirit, like the Gadarene swine and other critics. Obsession...

OBSESSED, p.p. Vexed by an evil spirit, like the Gadarene swine and other critics. Obsession...

INFLUENCE, n. In politics, a visionary _quo_ given in exchange for a substantial _quid_.

INFLUENCE, n. In politics, a visionary _quo_ given in exchange for a substantial _quid_.

PRESBYTERIAN, n. One who holds the conviction that the government authorities of the Church should...

PRESBYTERIAN, n. One who holds the conviction that the government authorities of the Church should...

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,...

Incompatibility. In matrimony a similarity of tastes, particularly the taste for domination.

Incompatibility. In matrimony a similarity of tastes, particularly the taste for domination.

(Love) A temporary insanity curable by marriage.

(Love) A temporary insanity curable by marriage.

In our civilization, and under our republican form of government, intelligence is so highly honored...

In our civilization, and under our republican form of government, intelligence is so highly honored...

Death is not the end. There remains the litigation over the estate.

Death is not the end. There remains the litigation over the estate.

Religion. A daughter of Hope and Fear, explaining to Ignorance the nature of the Unknowable.

Religion. A daughter of Hope and Fear, explaining to Ignorance the nature of the Unknowable.

Heaven lies about us in our infancy and the world begins lying about us pretty...

Heaven lies about us in our infancy and the world begins lying about us pretty...

Perseverance - a lowly virtue whereby mediocrity achieves an inglorious success.

Perseverance - a lowly virtue whereby mediocrity achieves an inglorious success.

Perseverance - a lowly virtue whereby mediocrity achieves an inglorious success.

Perseverance - a lowly virtue whereby mediocrity achieves an inglorious success.

LOVE, n. A temporary insanity curable by marriage or by removal of the patient from...

LOVE, n. A temporary insanity curable by marriage or by removal of the patient from...

Painting: The art of protecting flat surfaces from the weather and exposing them to the...

Painting: The art of protecting flat surfaces from the weather and exposing them to the...

A total abstainer is one who abstains from everything but abstention, and especially from inactivity...

A total abstainer is one who abstains from everything but abstention, and especially from inactivity...

Women in love are less ashamed than men. They have less to be ashamed of.

Women in love are less ashamed than men. They have less to be ashamed of.

There are four kinds of Homicide: felonious, excusable, justifiable, and praiseworthy.

There are four kinds of Homicide: felonious, excusable, justifiable, and praiseworthy.

Example is better than following it.

Example is better than following it.

The old begin to complain of the conduct of the young when they themselves are...

The old begin to complain of the conduct of the young when they themselves are...

He that gives good advice, builds with one hand; he that gives good counsel and...

He that gives good advice, builds with one hand; he that gives good counsel and...