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RATIONAL, adj. Devoid of all delusions save those of observation, experience and reflection.

Ambrose Bierce

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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
Reflection
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Experience
Delusions
Devoid
Delusion
Observation
Rational

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OBSOLETE, adj. No longer used by the timid. Said chiefly of words. A word which some lexicographer has marked obsolete is ever thereafter an object of dread and loathing to the fool writer . . .
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Appeal. In law, to put the dice into the box for another throw.
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Theology is a thing of unreason altogether, an edifice of assumptions and dreams, a superstructure without a substructure
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MAGNETISM, n. Something acting upon a magnet. The two definitions immediately foregoing are condensed from the works of one thousand eminent scientists, who have illuminated the subject with a great white light, to the inexpressible advancement of human knowledge.
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One engaged in a commercial pursuit. A commercial pursuit is one in which the thing pursued is a dollar.
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APHORISM, n. Predigested wisdom. The flabby wine-skin of his brain Yields to some pathologic strain, And voids from its unstored abysm The driblet of an aphorism. The Mad Philosopher, 1697
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CRAYFISH, n. A small crustacean very much resembling the lobster, but less indigestible.
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Cynicism is that blackguard defect of vision which compels us to see the world as it is, instead of as it should be.
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gratitude, n. A sentiment lying midway between a benefit received and a benefit expected.
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KILT, n. A costume sometimes worn by Scotchmen in America and Americans in Scotland.
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Academe, n.: An ancient school where morality and philosophy were taught. Academy, n.: A modern school where football is taught.
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The gambling known as business looks with austere disfavor upon the business known as gambling.
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There are two instruments worse than a clarinet - two clarinets.
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TEETOTALER, n. One who abstains from strong drink, sometimes totally, sometimes tolerably totally.
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Aborigines, n.: Persons of little worth found cumbering the soil of a newly discovered country. They soon cease to cumber they fertilize.
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PAIN, n. An uncomfortable frame of mind that may have a physical basis in something that is being done to the body, or may be purely mental, caused by the good fortune of another.
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OSTRICH, n. A large bird to which (for its sins, doubtless) nature has denied that hinder toe . . . . The absence of a good working pair of wings is no defect, for, as has been ingeniously pointed out, the ostrich does not fly.
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Democracy is defended in 3 stages. Ballot Box, Jury Box, Cartridge Box.
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