1,237 Quotes by Ambrose Bierce

TAIL, n. The part of an animal’s spine that has transcended its natural limitations to set up an independent existence in a world of its own.

Vote: the instrument and symbol of a freeman’s power to make a fool of himself and a wreck of his country.

CERBERUS, n. The watch-dog of Hades, whose duty it was to guard the entrance – against whom or what does not clearly appear; everybody, sooner or later, had to go there, and nobody wanted to carry off the entrance.

Life – a spiritual pickle preserving the body from decay.

In the presence of death reason and philosophy are silent.

DIARY, n. A daily record of that part of one’s life, which he can relate to himself without blushing.

NOTORIETY, n. The fame of one’s competitor for public honors. The kind of renown most accessible and acceptable to mediocrity. A Jacob’s-ladder leading to the vaudeville stage, with angels ascending and descending.

Inexpedient: Not calculated to advance one’s interests.

Ocean: A body of water occupying about two-thirds of a world made for man – who has no gills.