Quote

WHANGDEPOOTENAWAH, n. In the Ojibwa tongue, disaster an unexpected affliction that strikes hard.

Ambrose Bierce

Change background

T
T
T

Change font

TAGS & TOPICS

Ambrose Bierce
Born: 1842
Born: June 24
Aphorist
Journalist
Poet
Science Fiction Writer
Writer
Meigs County
Ohio
Dod Grile
William Herman
Ambrose Gwinnett Bierce
Ambrose Bierce
Disaster
Tongue
Hard
Affliction
Unexpected
Strikes

More quotes by Ambrose Bierce

Image
Habit: A shackle for the free.
Ambrose Bierce
Image
Self-denial is indulgence of a propensity to forego.
Ambrose Bierce
Image
Christian, n.: one who believes that the New Testament is a divinely inspired book admirably suited to the spiritual needs of his neighbor.
Ambrose Bierce
Image
TZETZE (or TSETSE) FLY, n. An African insect (Glossina morsitans) whose bite is commonly regarded as nature's most efficacious remedy for insomnia, though some patients prefer that of the American novelist (Mendax interminabilis).
Ambrose Bierce
Image
J, n. A consonant in English, but some nations use it as a vowel . . . from a Latin verb, jacere, to throw, because when a stone is thrown at a dog the dog's tail assumes that shape.
Ambrose Bierce
Image
Revolution, n. In politics, an abrupt change in the form of misgovernment.
Ambrose Bierce
Image
ZIGZAG, v.t. To move forward uncertainly, from side to side, as one carrying the white man's burden.
Ambrose Bierce
Image
PANTALOONS, n. A nether habiliment of the adult civilized male. The garment is tubular and unprovided with hinges at the points of flexion. Supposed to have been invented by a humorist. Called trousers by the enlightened and pants by the unworthy.
Ambrose Bierce
Image
Heaven lies about us in our infancy and the world begins lying about us pretty soon afterward.
Ambrose Bierce
Image
aim, n. The task we set our wishes to.
Ambrose Bierce
Image
When you doubt, abstain.
Ambrose Bierce
Image
Custard: A detestable substance produced by a malevolent conspiracy of the hen, the cow, and the cook.
Ambrose Bierce
Image
The poor man's price of admittance to the favor of the rich is his self-respect.
Ambrose Bierce
Image
NIHILIST, n. A Russian who denies the existence of anything but Tolstoi. The leader of the school is Tolstoi.
Ambrose Bierce
Image
ARTLESSNESS, n. A certain engaging quality to which women attain by long study and severe practice upon the admiring male, who is pleased to fancy it resembles the candid simplicity of his young.
Ambrose Bierce
Image
No country is so wild and difficult but men will make it a theater of war.
Ambrose Bierce
Image
MONKEY, n. An arboreal animal which makes itself at home in genealogical trees.
Ambrose Bierce
Image
RAILROAD, n. The chief of many mechanical devices enabling us to get away from where we are to where we are no better off. For this purpose the railroad is held in highest favor by the optimist, for it permits him to make the transit with great expedition.
Ambrose Bierce
Image
Learning, n. The kind of ignorance distinguishing the studious.
Ambrose Bierce
Image
Acquaintance. A person whom we know well enough to borrow from, but not well enough to lend to.
Ambrose Bierce