Duty - that which sternly impels us in the direction of profit, along the line of desire.

Quote by Ambrose Bierce

Topics: Ambrose Bierce Quotes

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...

When you doubt, abstain.

When you doubt, abstain.

OLD, adj. In that stage of usefulness which is not inconsistent with general inefficiency, as...

OLD, adj. In that stage of usefulness which is not inconsistent with general inefficiency, as...

Backbite. To speak of a man as you find him when he can't find you.

Backbite. To speak of a man as you find him when he can't find you.

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...

Egotist: a person more interested in himself than in me.

Egotist: a person more interested in himself than in me.

COMMERCE, n. A kind of transaction in which A plunders from B the goods of...

COMMERCE, n. A kind of transaction in which A plunders from B the goods of...

Bore, n. A person who talks when you wish him to listen.

Bore, n. A person who talks when you wish him to listen.

Acquaintance is a degree of friendship called slight when its object is poor and obscure,...

Acquaintance is a degree of friendship called slight when its object is poor and obscure,...

Logic: The art of thinking and reasoning in strict accordance with the limitations and incapacities...

Logic: The art of thinking and reasoning in strict accordance with the limitations and incapacities...

Jealous, adj. Unduly concerned about the preservation of that which can be lost only if...

Jealous, adj. Unduly concerned about the preservation of that which can be lost only if...

Dawn: When men of reason go to bed.

Dawn: When men of reason go to bed.

Saint: A dead sinner revised and edited.

Saint: A dead sinner revised and edited.

Vote: the instrument and symbol of a freeman's power to make a fool of himself...

Vote: the instrument and symbol of a freeman's power to make a fool of himself...

TOMB, n. The House of Indifference. Tombs are now by common consent invested with a...

TOMB, n. The House of Indifference. Tombs are now by common consent invested with a...

MUMMY, n. An ancient Egyptian, formerly in universal use among modern civilized nations as medicine,...

MUMMY, n. An ancient Egyptian, formerly in universal use among modern civilized nations as medicine,...

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...

An egotist is a person of low taste - more interested in himself than in...

An egotist is a person of low taste - more interested in himself than in...

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.

Ardor, n. The quality that distinguishes love without knowledge.

Ardor, n. The quality that distinguishes love without knowledge.