SORCERY, n. The ancient prototype and forerunner of political influence. It was, however, deemed less respectable and sometimes was punished by torture and death. Augustine Nicholas relates that a poor peasant who had been accused of sorcery was put to the torture to compel a confession. After enduring a few gentle agonies the suffering simpleton admitted his guilt, but naively asked his tormentors if it were not possible to be a sorcerer without knowing it. - Ambrose Gwinett Bierce Quotes
SORCERY, n. The ancient prototype and forerunner of political influence. It was, however, deemed less respectable and sometimes was punished by torture and death. Augustine Nicholas relates that a poor peasant who had been accused of sorcery was put to the torture to compel a confession. After enduring a few gentle agonies the suffering simpleton admitted his guilt, but naively asked his tormentors if it were not possible to be a sorcerer without knowing it. Ambrose Gwinett Bierce
 Influence

More - Ambrose Gwinett Bierce Quotes

MILLENNIUM, n. The period of a thousand years when the lid is to be screwed down, with all reformers on the under side. - Ambrose Gwinett Bierce Quotes

MILLENNIUM, n. The period of a thousand years when the lid is to be screwed down, with all reformers on the under side.

Ambrose Gwinett Bierce

 
What is a democrat? One who believes that the republicans have ruined the country. What is a republican? One who believes that the democrats would ruin the country. - Ambrose Gwinett Bierce Quotes

What is a democrat? One who believes that the republicans have ruined the country. What is a republican? One who believes that the democrats would ruin the country.

Ambrose Gwinett Bierce

 American Journalist Country
ARENA, n. In politics, an imaginary rat-pit in which the statesman wrestles with his record. - Ambrose Gwinett Bierce Quotes

ARENA, n. In politics, an imaginary rat-pit in which the statesman wrestles with his record.

Ambrose Gwinett Bierce

 
DOG, n. A kind of additional or subsidiary Deity designed to catch the overflow and surplus of the world's worship. This Divine Being in some of his smaller and silkier incarnations takes, in the affection of Woman, the place to which there is no human male aspirant. The Dog is a survival --an anachronism. He toils not, neither does he spin, yet Solomon in all his glory never lay upon a door-mat all day long, sun-soaked and fly-fed and fat, while his master worked for the means wherewith to purchase the idle wag of the Solomonic tail, seasoned with a look of tolerant recognition. - Ambrose Gwinett Bierce Quotes

DOG, n. A kind of additional or subsidiary Deity designed to catch the overflow and surplus of the world's worship. This Divine Being in some of his smaller and silkier incarnations takes, in the affection of Woman, the place to which there is no human male aspirant. The Dog is a survival --an anachronism. He toils not, neither does he spin, yet Solomon in all his glory never lay upon a door-mat all day long, sun-soaked and fly-fed and fat, while his master worked for the means wherewith to purchase the idle wag of the Solomonic tail, seasoned with a look of tolerant recognition.

Ambrose Gwinett Bierce

 
OLEAGINOUS, adj. Oily, smooth, sleek. Disraeli once described the manner of Bishop Wilberforce as

OLEAGINOUS, adj. Oily, smooth, sleek. Disraeli once described the manner of Bishop Wilberforce as "unctuous, oleaginous, saponaceous." And the good prelate was ever afterward known as Soapy Sam. 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.

Ambrose Gwinett Bierce

 
MISERICORDE, n. A dagger which in mediaeval warfare was used by the foot soldier to remind an unhorsed knight that he was mortal. - Ambrose Gwinett Bierce Quotes

MISERICORDE, n. A dagger which in mediaeval warfare was used by the foot soldier to remind an unhorsed knight that he was mortal.

Ambrose Gwinett Bierce

 
TRINITY, n. In the multiplex theism of certain Christian churches, three entirely distinct deities consistent with only one. Subordinate deities of the polytheistic faith, such as devils and angels, are not dowered with the power of combination, and must urge individually their clames to adoration and propitiation. The Trinity is one of the most sublime mysteries of our holy religion. In rejecting it because it is incomprehensible, Unitarians betray their inadequate sense of theological fundamentals. In religion we believe only what we do not understand, except in the instance of an intelligible doctrine that contradicts an incomprehensible one. In that case we believe the former as a part of the latter. - Ambrose Gwinett Bierce Quotes

TRINITY, n. In the multiplex theism of certain Christian churches, three entirely distinct deities consistent with only one. Subordinate deities of the polytheistic faith, such as devils and angels, are not dowered with the power of combination, and must urge individually their clames to adoration and propitiation. The Trinity is one of the most sublime mysteries of our holy religion. In rejecting it because it is incomprehensible, Unitarians betray their inadequate sense of theological fundamentals. In religion we believe only what we do not understand, except in the instance of an intelligible doctrine that contradicts an incomprehensible one. In that case we believe the former as a part of the latter.

Ambrose Gwinett Bierce

 
RECTOR, n. In the Church of England, the Third Person of the parochial Trinity, the Cruate and the Vicar being the other two. - Ambrose Gwinett Bierce Quotes

RECTOR, n. In the Church of England, the Third Person of the parochial Trinity, the Cruate and the Vicar being the other two.

Ambrose Gwinett Bierce

 
IMPOSTOR n. A rival aspirant to public honors. - Ambrose Gwinett Bierce Quotes

IMPOSTOR n. A rival aspirant to public honors.

Ambrose Gwinett Bierce

 
DISCRIMINATE, v.i. To note the particulars in which one person or thing is, if possible, more objectionable than another. - Ambrose Gwinett Bierce Quotes

DISCRIMINATE, v.i. To note the particulars in which one person or thing is, if possible, more objectionable than another.

Ambrose Gwinett Bierce

 
Click To See More Quotes

Quotes By Popular Topics
Best Friends
Birthday
Change
Education
Family
Friends
Funny
Happiness
Hard Work
inspirational
Leadership
Life
Lifestyle
Lost Love
Love
Motivational
Positive
Smile
Smiles
Success
Work
View All Topics (A - Z)
Like Our Facebook Page
Motivational, Inspirational, Funny Quotes