Genealogy, n. An account of one's descent from a man who did not particularly care to trace his own.

Quote by Ambrose Bierce

Topics: Ambrose Bierce Quotes

YOUTH, n. The Period of Possibility, when Archimedes finds a fulcrum, Cassandra has a following...

YOUTH, n. The Period of Possibility, when Archimedes finds a fulcrum, Cassandra has a following...

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

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

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...

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...

Hypocrisy: prejudice with a halo

Hypocrisy: prejudice with a halo

Optimism - the doctrine or belief that everything is beautiful, including what is ugly.

Optimism - the doctrine or belief that everything is beautiful, including what is ugly.

Habit is a shackle for the free.

Habit is a shackle for the free.

A revolution, in politics, is an abrupt change in the form of misgovernment. The substitution...

A revolution, in politics, is an abrupt change in the form of misgovernment. The substitution...

Photograph: a picture painted by the sun without instruction in art.

Photograph: a picture painted by the sun without instruction in art.

TEETOTALER, n. One who abstains from strong drink, sometimes totally, sometimes tolerably totally.

TEETOTALER, n. One who abstains from strong drink, sometimes totally, sometimes tolerably totally.

EPIGRAM, n. A short, sharp saying in prose or verse, frequently characterize by acidity or...

EPIGRAM, n. A short, sharp saying in prose or verse, frequently characterize by acidity or...

MALTHUSIAN, adj. Pertaining to Malthus and his doctrines. Malthus believed in artificially limiting population, but...

MALTHUSIAN, adj. Pertaining to Malthus and his doctrines. Malthus believed in artificially limiting population, but...

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

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

WASHINGTONIAN, n. A Potomac tribesman who exchanged the privilege of governing himself for the advantage...

WASHINGTONIAN, n. A Potomac tribesman who exchanged the privilege of governing himself for the advantage...

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

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

LEVIATHAN, n. An enormous aquatic animal mentioned by Job. Some suppose it to have been...

LEVIATHAN, n. An enormous aquatic animal mentioned by Job. Some suppose it to have been...

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

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

Doubt, indulged and cherished, is in danger of becoming denial; but if honest, and bent...

Doubt, indulged and cherished, is in danger of becoming denial; but if honest, and bent...

The worst lies are the lies we tell ourselves. We live in denial of what...

The worst lies are the lies we tell ourselves. We live in denial of what...

People will choose to blame their circumstances on fate or bad luck. Very few will...

People will choose to blame their circumstances on fate or bad luck. Very few will...