Strive not for singularity in dress; Fools have the more and men of sense the less. To look original is not worth while, But be in mind a little out of style. Ambrose Bierce More Quotes by Ambrose Bierce More Quotes From Ambrose Bierce Censor, n. An officer of certain governments, employed to supress the works of genius. Among the Romans the censor was an inspector of public morals, but the public morals of modern nations will not bear inspection. Ambrose Bierce genius government bears As records of courts and justice are admissible, it can easily be proved that powerful and malevolent magicians once existed and were a scourge to mankind. The evidence (including confession) upon which certain women were convicted of witchcraft and executed was without a flaw; it is still unimpeachable. The judges' decisions based on it were sound in logic and in law. Nothing in any existing court was ever more thoroughly proved than the charges of witchcraft and sorcery for which so many suffered death. If there were no witches, human testimony and human reason are alike destitute of value. Ambrose Bierce powerful judging law MARTYR, One who moves along the line of least reluctance to a desired death. Ambrose Bierce lines death moving LUMINARY, One who throws light upon a subject; as an editor by not writing about it. Ambrose Bierce editors light writing Something that is supposed to typify or stand for something else. Many symbols are mere "survivals" - as funereal urns carved on memorial monuments. We cannot stop making them, but we can give them a name that conceals our helplessness. Ambrose Bierce memorial names giving TAKE, v.t. To acquire, frequently by force but preferably by stealth. Ambrose Bierce stealth acquire force An immaterial but visible being that inhabited the air when the air was an element and before it was fatally polluted with factory smoke, sewer gas and similar products of civilization. Ambrose Bierce elements air civilization True, man does not know woman. But neither does woman. Ambrose Bierce true-man doe men Loquacity, n. A disorder which renders the sufferer unable to curb his tongue when you wish to talk. Ambrose Bierce tongue disorder wish Respectability, n. The offspring of a liaison between a bald head and a bank account. Ambrose Bierce liaison bank-accounts offspring Intolerance is natural and logical, for in every dissenting opinion lies an assumption of superior wisdom. Ambrose Bierce assumption opinion lying Impiety. Your irreverence toward my deity. Ambrose Bierce irreverence deities respect An accident is an inevitable occurrence due to the actions of immutable natural laws. Ambrose Bierce law natural action Backbite: To ''speak of a man as you find him'' when he can't find you. Ambrose Bierce slander speak men Appetite, n. An instinct thoughtfully implanted by Providence as a solution to the labor question. Ambrose Bierce appetite hunger instinct To renounce an honor for an advantage. To renounce an advantage for a greater advantage. Ambrose Bierce renounce advantage honor Behavior, n. Conduct, as determined, not by principle, but by breeding. Ambrose Bierce determined behavior principles Christians and camels receive their burdens kneeling. Ambrose Bierce kneeling camels christian Legitimate authority to be, to do or to have; as the right to be a king, the right to do one's neighbor, the right to have measles, and the like. Ambrose Bierce neighbor authority kings A bad workman quarrels with the man who calls him that. Ambrose Bierce incompetence he-man men
