1,237 Quotes by Ambrose Bierce

The poor man's price of admittance to the favor of the rich is his self-respect.

POVERTY, n. A file provided for the teeth of the rats of reform. Its victims are distinguished by possession of all the virtues and by their faith in leaders seeking to conduct them into a prosperity where they believe these to be unknown.

MAGIC, n. An art of converting superstition into coin. There are other arts serving the same high purpose, but the discreet lexicographer does not name them.

A nation that will not enforce its laws has no claim to the respect and allegiance of its people.

For every man there is something in the vocabulary that would stick to him like a second skin. His enemies have only to find it.

There was never a genius who was not thought a fool until he disclosed himself; whereas he is a fool then only.

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

RASCALITY, n. Stupidity militant. The activity of a clouded intellect.

Age, with his eyes in the back of his head, thinks it wisdom to see the bogs through which he has floundered.