Ambrose Bierce: Quotes about thinking

Ambrose Bierce was American editorialist, journalist, short story writer, fabulist, and satirist. Explore interesting quotes on thinking.

Ambrose Bierce: 408 quotes14 likes

“Cogito cogito ergo cogito sum -- "I think that I think, therefore I think that I am;" as close an approach to certainty as any philosopher has yet made.”

Ambrose Bierce

The Devil's Dictionary (1911)
Source: The Unabridged Devil's Dictionary
Context: Cartesian, adj. Relating to Descartes, a famous philosopher, author of the celebrated dictum, Cogito ergo sum -- whereby he was pleased to suppose he demonstrated the reality of human existence. The dictum might be improved, however, thus: Cogito cogito ergo cogito sum -- "I think that I think, therefore I think that I am;" as close an approach to certainty as any philosopher has yet made.

“Brain: an apparatus with which we think we think.”

Ambrose Bierce

“Good-bye -- if you hear of my being stood up against a stone wall and shot to rags please know that I think that a pretty good way to depart this life. It beats old age, disease or falling down the cellar stairs.”

Ambrose Bierce

“Think twice before you speak to a friend in need”

Ambrose Bierce

Source: The Unabridged Devil's Dictionary

“He who thinks with difficulty believes with alacrity.”

Ambrose Bierce

Source: Epigrams, p. 363

“The most offensive egotist is he that fears to say "I" and "me." "It will probably rain "—that is dogmatic. "I think it will rain"—that is natural and modest. Montaigne is the most delightful of essayists because so great is his humility that he does not think it important that we see not Montaigne. He so forgets himself that he employs no artifice to make us forget him.”

Ambrose Bierce