“Prejudice, n. A vagrant opinion without visible means of support.”
Ambrose Bierce book The Devil's Dictionary
The Devil's Dictionary (1911)
Quotes from bookThe Devil's Dictionary
The Devil's Dictionary is a satirical dictionary written by American Civil War soldier, journalist, and writer Ambrose Bierce consisting of common words followed by humorous and satirical definitions. The lexicon was written over three decades as a series of installments for magazines and newspapers. Bierce's witty definitions were imitated and plagiarized for years before he gathered them into books, first as The Cynic's Word Book in 1906 and then in a more complete version as The Devil's Dictionary in 1911.
“Non-combatant, n. A dead Quaker.”
Ambrose Bierce book The Devil's Dictionary
The Devil's Dictionary (1911)
“Opportunity, n. A favorable occasion for grasping a disappointment.”
Ambrose Bierce book The Devil's Dictionary
The Devil's Dictionary (1911)
Ambrose Bierce book The Devil's Dictionary
The Devil's Dictionary (1911)
Context: Brain, n. An apparatus with which we think that we think... In our civilization, and under our republican form of government, intelligence is so highly honored that it is rewarded by exemption from the cares of office.
“Learning, n. The kind of ignorance distinguishing the studious.”
Ambrose Bierce book The Devil's Dictionary
The Devil's Dictionary (1911)
“Self-evident, adj. Evident to one's self and to nobody else.”
Ambrose Bierce book The Devil's Dictionary
Source: The Devil's Dictionary
“Saint, n. A dead sinner, revised and edited.”
Ambrose Bierce book The Devil's Dictionary
The Devil's Dictionary (1911)
“Cabbage, n. A familiar kitchen-garden vegetable about as large and wise as a man's head.”
Ambrose Bierce book The Devil's Dictionary
The Devil's Dictionary (1911)
“Happiness, n. An agreeable sensation arising from contemplating the misery of another.”
Ambrose Bierce book The Devil's Dictionary
The Devil's Dictionary (1911)
“Optimist, n. A proponent of the doctrine that black is white.”
Ambrose Bierce book The Devil's Dictionary
The Devil's Dictionary (1911)
“Politics, n. Strife of interests masquerading as a contest of principles.”
Ambrose Bierce book The Devil's Dictionary
The Devil's Dictionary (1911)
Context: Politics, n. A strife of interests masquerading as a contest of principles. The conduct of public affairs for private advantage.
Ambrose Bierce book The Devil's Dictionary
The Devil's Dictionary (1911)
Context: Acquaintance, n. A person whom we know well enough to borrow from, but not well enough to lend to. A degree of friendship called slight when its object is poor or obscure, and intimate when he is rich or famous
“Admiration, n. Our polite recognition of another's resemblance to ourselves.”
Ambrose Bierce book The Devil's Dictionary
The Devil's Dictionary (1911)
