Bierce, Ambrose (18) – US author & satirist (1842 – 1914)
Acquaintance: A person whom we know well enough to borrow from, but not well enough to lend to. The Devil’s Dictionary
Admiration: Our polite recognition of another’s resemblance to ourselves. The Devil’s Dictionary
The covers of this book are too far apart. The Devil’s Dictionary
Bore: A person who talks when you wish him to listen. The Devil’s Dictionary
Brain: an apparatus with which we think we think. The Devil’s Dictionary
Calamities are of two kinds: misfortunes to ourselves, and good fortune to others. The Devil’s Dictionary
Cogito cogito ergo cogito sum (I think that I think, therefore I think that I am.) The Devil’s Dictionary
Politeness: The most acceptable hypocrisy. The Devil’s Dictionary
Painting: The art of protecting flat surfaces from the weather and exposing them to the critic. The Devil’s Dictionary
Politics: Strife of interests masquerading as a contest of principles. The Devil’s Dictionary
To be positive: To be mistaken at the top of one’s voice. The Devil’s Dictionary
Quotation: The act of repeating erroneously the words of another. The Devil’s Dictionary
The gambling known as business looks with austere disfavour upon the business known as gambling. The Devil’s Dictionary
There is nothing new under the sun but there are lots of old things we don’t know. The Devil’s Dictionary
Absurdity: A statement or belief manifestly inconsistent with one’s own opinion. The Devil’s Dictionary
