#devilsdictionary — Public Fediverse posts

A quotation from Ambrose Bierce

EXPEDIENCY, n. The father of all virtues.

Ambrose Bierce (1842-1914?) American writer and journalist
“Expediency,” “Devil’s Dictionary” column, San Francisco Wasp (1884-06-07)

More about this quote: wist.info/bierce-ambrose/85383…

#quote #quotes #quotation #qotd #ambrosebierce #devilsdictionary #convenience #excuse #expediency #justification #opportunism #pragmatism #rationale #selfinterest #selfjustification #virtue

A quotation from Ambrose Bierce

ERR, v.i. To believe or act in a way contrary to my beliefs and actions.

Ambrose Bierce (1842-1914?) American writer and journalist
“Err,” “Devil’s Dictionary” column, San Francisco Wasp (1884-05-24)

More about this quote: wist.info/bierce-ambrose/85250…

#quote #quotes #quotation #qotd #ambrosebierce #devilsdictionary #arrogance #belief #disagreement #ego #error #perspective #presumption #rightandwrong #selfrighteousness

A quotation from Ambrose Bierce

EQUAL, adj. As bad as something else.

Ambrose Bierce (1842-1914?) American writer and journalist
“Equal,” “Devil’s Dictionary” column, San Francisco Wasp (1884-05-24)

More about this quote: wist.info/bierce-ambrose/85176…

#quote #quotes #quotation #qotd #bierce #ambrocebierce #devilsdictionary # halfempty #pessimism #cynicism #equal #equality #sameness

A quotation from Ambrose Bierce

EPIDEMIC, n. A disease having a sociable turn and few prejudices.

Ambrose Bierce (1842-1914?) American writer and journalist
“Epidemic,” “Devil’s Dictionary” column, San Francisco Wasp (1883-04-28)

More about this quote: wist.info/bierce-ambrose/84987…

#quote #quotes #quotation #qotd #ambrosebierce #devilsdictionary #contagion #disease #epidemic #illness #plague #sickness

A quotation from Ambrose Bierce

ENCOURAGE, v.t. To confirm a fool in a folly that is beginning to hurt him.

Ambrose Bierce (1842-1914?) American writer and journalist
“Encourage,” “Devil’s Dictionary” column, San Francisco Wasp (1883-03-10)

More about this quote: wist.info/bierce-ambrose/84872…

#quote #quotes #quotation #qotd #ambrosebierce #devilsdictionary #encourage #encouragement

A quotation from Ambrose Bierce

DICE, n. Small polka-dotted cubes of ivory, constructed like a lawyer to lie on any side, but commonly on the wrong one.

Ambrose Bierce (1842-1914?) American writer and journalist
“Dice,” “Devil’s Dictionary” column, San Francisco Wasp (1882-03-24)

More about this quote: wist.info/bierce-ambrose/84592…

#quote #quotes #quotation #qotd #ambrosebierce #devilsdictionary #dice #lawyer #lying

A quotation from Ambrose Bierce

DICE, n. Small polka-dotted cubes of ivory, constructed like a lawyer to lie on any side, but commonly on the wrong one.

Ambrose Bierce (1842-1914?) American writer and journalist
“Dice,” “Devil’s Dictionary” column, San Francisco Wasp (1882-03-24)

More about this quote: wist.info/bierce-ambrose/84592…

#quote #quotes #quotation #qotd #ambrosebierce #devilsdictionary #dice #lawyer #lying

A quotation from Ambrose Bierce

DESERVE, n. The quality of being entitled to what somebody else obtains.

Ambrose Bierce (1842-1914?) American writer and journalist
“Deserve,” “Devil’s Dictionary” column, San Francisco Wasp (1882-03-03)

More about this quote: wist.info/bierce-ambrose/84398…

#quote #quotes #quotation #qotd #ambrosebierce #devilsdictionary #avarice #coveting #covetousness #deserve #deserving #entitlement #envy #possession

A quotation from Ambrose Bierce

DENY, v.t. See Hurl Back The Allegation.

Ambrose Bierce (1842-1914?) American writer and journalist
“Deny,” “Devil’s Dictionary” column, San Francisco Wasp (1882-02-17)

More about this quote: wist.info/bierce-ambrose/83996…

#quote #quotes #quotation #qotd #ambrosebierce #devilsdictionary #accusation #allegation #counterattack #denial #deny #project #projection

A quotation from Ambrose Bierce

DEMAGOGUE, n. A political opponent.

Ambrose Bierce (1842-1914?) American writer and journalist
“Demagogue,” “Devil’s Dictionary” column, San Francisco Wasp (1882-01-20)

More about this quote: wist.info/bierce-ambrose/83994…

#quote #quotes #quotation #qotd #ambrosebierce #devilsdictionary #demagogue #demagoguery #opponent #opposition #politics #populist #rabblerousing #mobrule #emotionalism

A quotation from Ambrose Bierce

DEMAGOGUE, n. A political opponent.

Ambrose Bierce (1842-1914?) American writer and journalist
“Demagogue,” “Devil’s Dictionary” column, San Francisco Wasp (1882-01-20)

More about this quote: wist.info/bierce-ambrose/83994…

#quote #quotes #quotation #qotd #ambrosebierce #devilsdictionary #demagogue #demagoguery #opponent #opposition #politics #populist #rabblerousing #mobrule #emotionalism

A quotation from Ambrose Bierce

COVET, v.i. To desire that which the owner wickedly withholds.

Ambrose Bierce (1842-1914?) American writer and journalist
“Covet,” “Devil’s Dictionary” column, San Francisco Wasp (1881-10-07)

More about this quote: wist.info/bierce-ambrose/83831…

#quote #quotes #quotation #qotd #ambrosebierce #devilsdictionary #covet #deserving #desire #ownership #perspective

A quotation from Ambrose Bierce

CONGREGATION, n. The subjects of an experiment in hypnotism.

Ambrose Bierce (1842-1914?) American writer and journalist
“Congregation,” “Devil’s Dictionary” column, San Francisco Wasp (1881-08-12)

More about this quote: wist.info/bierce-ambrose/83549…

#quote #quotes #quotation #qotd #ambrosebierce #devilsdictionary #church #congregation #hypnotism #persuasion

A quotation from Ambrose Bierce

COMPETITOR, n. A scoundrel who desires that which we desire.

Ambrose Bierce (1842-1914?) American writer and journalist
“Competitor,” “Devil’s Dictionary” column, San Francisco Wasp (1881-08-05)

More about this quote: wist.info/bierce-ambrose/83112…

#quote #quotes #quotation #qotd #ambrosebierce #devilsdictionary #competition #competitor #contest #desire #enemy #opponent #perspective #prize

A quotation from Ambrose Bierce

BOOK-LEARNING, n. The dunce’s derisive term for all knowledge that transcends his own impenitent ignorance.

Ambrose Bierce (1842-1914?) American writer and journalist
“Book-learning,” “Devil’s Dictionary” column, San Francisco Wasp (1881-05-14)

More about this quote: wist.info/bierce-ambrose/82789…

#quote #quotes #quotation #qotd #ambrosebierce #devilsdictionary #antiintellectualism #booklearning #books #dolt #dunce #education #ignorance #knowledge #learning #willfulignorance

A quotation from Ambrose Bierce

BOOK-LEARNING, n. The dunce’s derisive term for all knowledge that transcends his own impenitent ignorance.

Ambrose Bierce (1842-1914?) American writer and journalist
“Book-learning,” “Devil’s Dictionary” column, San Francisco Wasp (1881-05-14)

More about this quote: wist.info/bierce-ambrose/82789…

#quote #quotes #quotation #qotd #ambrosebierce #devilsdictionary #antiintellectualism #booklearning #books #dolt #dunce #education #ignorance #knowledge #learning #willfulignorance

@JB105

"The Devil's Dictionary"? It certainly could be from there.

Quick check, wiki page and open source gives this from the DD, quoting...

"WAR, n. A by-product of the arts of peace. The most menacing political condition is a period of international amity. The student of history who has not been taught to expect the unexpected may justly boast himself inaccessible to the light. "In time of peace prepare for war" has a deeper meaning than is commonly discerned; it means, not merely that all things earthly have an end—that change is the one immutable and eternal law—but that the soil of peace is thickly sown with the seeds of war and singularly suited to their germination and growth. It was when Kubla Khan had decreed his "stately pleasure dome"—when, that is to say, there were peace and fat feasting in Xanadu—that he
heard from afar
Ancestral voices prophesying war.

One of the greatest of poets, Coleridge was one of the wisest of men, and it was not for nothing that he read us this parable. Let us have a little less of "hands across the sea," and a little more of that elemental distrust that is the security of nations. War loves to come like a thief in the night; professions of eternal amity provide the night."

#DevilsDictionary #War

@JB105

"The Devil's Dictionary"? It certainly could be from there.

Quick check, wiki page and open source gives this from the DD, quoting...

"WAR, n. A by-product of the arts of peace. The most menacing political condition is a period of international amity. The student of history who has not been taught to expect the unexpected may justly boast himself inaccessible to the light. "In time of peace prepare for war" has a deeper meaning than is commonly discerned; it means, not merely that all things earthly have an end—that change is the one immutable and eternal law—but that the soil of peace is thickly sown with the seeds of war and singularly suited to their germination and growth. It was when Kubla Khan had decreed his "stately pleasure dome"—when, that is to say, there were peace and fat feasting in Xanadu—that he
heard from afar
Ancestral voices prophesying war.

One of the greatest of poets, Coleridge was one of the wisest of men, and it was not for nothing that he read us this parable. Let us have a little less of "hands across the sea," and a little more of that elemental distrust that is the security of nations. War loves to come like a thief in the night; professions of eternal amity provide the night."

#DevilsDictionary #War

A quotation from Ambrose Bierce

BALOGNA-SAUSAGE, n. A dead dog that is better than a living lion, but not to eat.

Ambrose Bierce (1842-1914?) American writer and journalist
“Bologna-sausage,” “Devil’s Dictionary” column, San Francisco Wasp (1881-05-14)

More about this quote: wist.info/bierce-ambrose/82787…

#quote #quotes #quotation #qotd #ambrosebierce #devilsdictionary #baloney #bologna #edible #food #sausage

A quotation from Ambrose Bierce

BALOGNA-SAUSAGE, n. A dead dog that is better than a living lion, but not to eat.

Ambrose Bierce (1842-1914?) American writer and journalist
“Bologna-sausage,” “Devil’s Dictionary” column, San Francisco Wasp (1881-05-14)

More about this quote: wist.info/bierce-ambrose/82787…

#quote #quotes #quotation #qotd #ambrosebierce #devilsdictionary #baloney #bologna #edible #food #sausage

A quotation from Ambrose Bierce

BALLOT, n. A simple device by which a majority proves to a minority the folly of resistance. Many worthy persons of imperfect thinking apparatus believe that majorities govern through some inherent right; and minorities submit, not because they must, but because they ought.

Ambrose Bierce (1842-1914?) American writer and journalist
“Ballot,” “Devil’s Dictionary” column, San Francisco Wasp (1881-04-23)

More about this quote: wist.info/bierce-ambrose/82483…

#quote #quotes #quotation #qotd #ambrosebierce #devilsdictionary #ballot #democracy #majority #minority #populargovernment #popularopinion #tyrannyofthemajority #voting

A quotation from Ambrose Bierce

BALLOT, n. A simple device by which a majority proves to a minority the folly of resistance. Many worthy persons of imperfect thinking apparatus believe that majorities govern through some inherent right; and minorities submit, not because they must, but because they ought.

Ambrose Bierce (1842-1914?) American writer and journalist
“Ballot,” “Devil’s Dictionary” column, San Francisco Wasp (1881-04-23)

More about this quote: wist.info/bierce-ambrose/82483…

#quote #quotes #quotation #qotd #ambrosebierce #devilsdictionary #ballot #democracy #majority #minority #populargovernment #popularopinion #tyrannyofthemajority #voting

A quotation from Ambrose Bierce

AUTHENTIC, adj. Indubitably true — in someone’s opinion.

Ambrose Bierce (1842-1914?) American writer and journalist
“Authentic,” “Devil’s Dictionary” column, San Francisco Wasp (1881-04-09)

More about this quote: wist.info/bierce-ambrose/82290…

#quote #quotes #quotation #qotd #abrosebierce #devilsdictionary #authenticity #belief #bonafides #genuineness #judgment #legitimacy #opinion #perspective #trustworthiness #truth #verity

A quotation from Ambrose Bierce

ADAM’S APPLE, n. A protuberance on the throat of a man, thoughtfully provided by Nature to keep the rope in place.

Ambrose Bierce (1842-1914?) American writer and journalist
“Adam’s Apple,” “Devil’s Dictionary” column, San Francisco Wasp (1881-05-05)

More about this quote: wist.info/bierce-ambrose/81968…

#quote #quotes #quotation #qotd #ambrosebierce #devilsdictionary #adamsapple #humancondition #intelligentdesign #noose #throat

A quotation from Ambrose Bierce

ADAGE, n. A hoary-headed platitude that is kicked along the centuries until nothing is left of it but its clothes. A “saw” which has worn out its teeth on the human understanding.

Ambrose Bierce (1842-1914?) American writer and journalist
“Adage,” “Devil’s Dictionary” column, San Francisco Wasp (1881-03-05)

More about this quote: wist.info/bierce-ambrose/81811…

#quote #quotes #quotation #qotd #ambrosebierce #devilsdictionary #adage #aphorism #banality #cliche #meaninglessness #platitude #proverb #receivedwisdom #saw #saying #truism

A quotation from Ambrose Bierce

ABATTOIR, n. A place where cattle slaughter kine. It is commonly placed at some distance from the haunts of our species, in order that they who devour the flesh may not be shocked by the site of blood.

Ambrose Bierce (1842-1914?) American writer and journalist
“Abattoir,” “Demon’s Dictionary” column, San Francisco News Letter (1875-12-11)

More about this quote: wist.info/bierce-ambrose/81667…

#quote #quotes #quotation #qotd #ambrosebierce #devilsdictionary #abattoir #blood #butcher #carnivore #fastidiousness #meat #slaughterhouse #squeamishness #stockyard #cognitivedissonace

A quotation from Ambrose Bierce

INCORPORATION, n. The act of uniting several persons into one fiction called a corporation, in order that they may be no longer responsible for its actions. A, B and C are a corporation. A robs, B steals and C (it is necessary that there be one gentleman in the concern) cheats. It is a plundering, thieving, swindling corporation. But A, B and C, who have jointly determined and severally executed every crime of the corporation, are blameless. It is wrong to mention them by name when censuring their acts as a corporation, but right when praising.

Ambrose Bierce (1842-1914?) American writer and journalist
“Incorporation,” “Devil’s Dictionary” column, San Francisco Wasp (1885-10-03)

More about this quote: wist.info/bierce-ambrose/81536…

#quote #quotes #quotation #qotd #ambrosebierce #devilsdictionary #accountability #bigbusiness #blame #business #corporation #crime #criminality #incorporation #irresponsibility #legalfiction #liability #unaccountability

A quotation from Ambrose Bierce

INCORPORATION, n. The act of uniting several persons into one fiction called a corporation, in order that they may be no longer responsible for its actions. A, B and C are a corporation. A robs, B steals and C (it is necessary that there be one gentleman in the concern) cheats. It is a plundering, thieving, swindling corporation. But A, B and C, who have jointly determined and severally executed every crime of the corporation, are blameless. It is wrong to mention them by name when censuring their acts as a corporation, but right when praising.

Ambrose Bierce (1842-1914?) American writer and journalist
“Incorporation,” “Devil’s Dictionary” column, San Francisco Wasp (1885-10-03)

More about this quote: wist.info/bierce-ambrose/81536…

#quote #quotes #quotation #qotd #ambrosebierce #devilsdictionary #accountability #bigbusiness #blame #business #corporation #crime #criminality #incorporation #irresponsibility #legalfiction #liability #unaccountability

A quotation from Ambrose Bierce

OBLIVION, n. The state or condition in which the wicked cease from struggling and the dreary are at rest. Fame’s eternal dumping ground. Cold storage for high hopes. A place where ambitious authors meet their works without pride and their betters without envy. A dormitory without an alarm clock.

Ambrose Bierce (1842-1914?) American writer and journalist
“Oblivion,” The Devil’s Dictionary (1911)

More about this quote: wist.info/bierce-ambrose/81216…

#quote #quotes #quotation #qotd #ambrosebierce #devilsdictionary #author #death #disappointment #envy #eternalrest #fame #history #hope #humility #oblivion #pride #rest #restinpeace #time #writer #writing

A quotation from Ambrose Bierce

OBLIVION, n. The state or condition in which the wicked cease from struggling and the dreary are at rest. Fame’s eternal dumping ground. Cold storage for high hopes. A place where ambitious authors meet their works without pride and their betters without envy. A dormitory without an alarm clock.

Ambrose Bierce (1842-1914?) American writer and journalist
“Oblivion,” The Devil’s Dictionary (1911)

More about this quote: wist.info/bierce-ambrose/81216…

#quote #quotes #quotation #qotd #ambrosebierce #devilsdictionary #author #death #disappointment #envy #eternalrest #fame #history #hope #humility #oblivion #pride #rest #restinpeace #time #writer #writing

A quotation from Ambrose Bierce

BOOK-LEARNING, n. The dunce’s derisive term for all knowledge that transcends his own impenitent ignorance.

Ambrose Bierce (1842-1914?) American writer and journalist
“Book-learning,” “Devil’s Dictionary” column, San Francisco Wasp (1881-05-14)

More about this quote: wist.info/bierce-ambrose/80990…

#quote #quotes #quotation #qotd #ambrosebierce #devilsdictionary #derision #sourgrapes #dolt #education #ignorance #knowledge #school #willfulignorance

A quotation from Ambrose Bierce

BOOK-LEARNING, n. The dunce’s derisive term for all knowledge that transcends his own impenitent ignorance.

Ambrose Bierce (1842-1914?) American writer and journalist
“Book-learning,” “Devil’s Dictionary” column, San Francisco Wasp (1881-05-14)

More about this quote: wist.info/bierce-ambrose/80990…

#quote #quotes #quotation #qotd #ambrosebierce #devilsdictionary #derision #sourgrapes #dolt #education #ignorance #knowledge #school #willfulignorance

A quotation from Ambrose Bierce

TELEPHONE, n. An invention of the devil which abrogates some of the advantages of making a disagreeable person keep his distance.

Ambrose Bierce (1842-1914?) American writer and journalist
“Telephone,” The Devil’s Dictionary (1911)

More about this quote: wist.info/bierce-ambrose/80820…

#quote #quotes #quotation #qotd #ambrosebierce #devilsdictionary #telephone #phone #distance

A quotation from Ambrose Bierce

TRINITY, n. […] 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 Bierce (1842-1914?) American writer and journalist
“Trinity,” The Devil’s Dictionary (1911)

More about this quote: wist.info/bierce-ambrose/1056/

#quote #quotes #quotation #qotd #ambrosebierce #devilsdictionary #belief #Christianity #doctrine #God #incomprehensibility #incomprehension #mystery #theology #trinity #understanding

A quotation from Ambrose Bierce

TURKEY, n. A large bird whose flesh when eaten on certain religious anniversaries has the peculiar property of attesting piety and gratitude. Incidentally, it is pretty good eating.

Ambrose Bierce (1842-1914?) American writer and journalist
“Turkey,” The Devil’s Dictionary (1911)

More about this quote: wist.info/bierce-ambrose/80542…

#quote #quotes #quotation #qotd #ambrosebierce #devilsdictionary #feast #food #thanksgiving #turkey

A quotation from Ambrose Bierce

SUCCESS, n. The one unpardonable sin against one’s fellows.

Ambrose Bierce (1842-1914?) American writer and journalist
“Success,” The Devil’s Dictionary (1911)

More info about this quote: wist.info/bierce-ambrose/80306…

#quote #quotes #quotation #qotd #ambrosebierce #devilsdictionary #accomplishment #envy #jealousy #resentment #success #winning

A quotation from Ambrose Bierce

SELFISH, adj. Devoid of consideration for the selfishness of others.

Ambrose Bierce (1842-1914?) American writer and journalist
“Selfish,” The Devil’s Dictionary (1911)

More about this quote: wist.info/bierce-ambrose/1057/

#quote #quotes #quotation #qotd #ambrosebierce #devilsdictionary #ego #inconsideration #selfabsorption #selfaggrandizement #selfcenteredness #selfishness

A quotation from Ambrose Bierce

SELF-EVIDENT, adj. Evident to one’s self and to nobody else.

Ambrose Bierce (1842-1914?) American writer and journalist
“Self-Evident,” The Devil’s Dictionary (1911)

More info about this quote: wist.info/bierce-ambrose/1059/

#quote #quotes #quotation #qotd #ambrosebierce #devilsdictionary #axiom #evidence #obviousness #selfevidence #takeforgranted #truism

A quotation from Ambrose Bierce

SCRIPTURES, n. The sacred books of our holy religion, as distinguished from the false and profane writings on which all other faiths are based.

Ambrose Bierce (1842-1914?) American writer and journalist
“Scriptures,” The Devil’s Dictionary (1911)

More info about this quote: wist.info/bierce-ambrose/1074/

#quote #quotes #quotation #qotd #ambrosebierce #devilsdictionary #divineplan #faith #holiness #perspective #religion #religiousintolerance #revelation #sacredness #sanctity #scripture #writings

Lawful: compatible with the will of a judge having jurisdiction.

#WrongDefinitions
#HashTagGames
#AmbroseBierce #DevilsDictionary

'Holocaust Inversion' (noun):

1. Committing genocide as a matter of 'security' while instrumentalizing the Holocaust as a shield against investigation & criticism.

2. The reversal of Germany's role as persecutor in a genocide to enabler and contributor as a former victim-nation pursues a genocidal campaign of its own.

3. An accusation leveled by an extremist state against any critic while engaged in (1) above; see also: 'antisemitism' in this context.

#devilsdictionary #gaza

@LALegault

@tulpa

Need to update #AmbroseBierce's #DevilsDictionary:

sandbox: a crappy piece of code that stands between a likely *incredibly* crappy piece of code and your system's integrity.
See also: papier maché fortress

*cough* #WASM

#DevilsDictionary

self defence:

the act of turning quiet homes
into broken stone and flame
in search of
(insert favourite bogeyman)
without cause
much evidence

or shame

#poetry #poem #poetrycommunity
#smallpoems
#WarCrimes
#bullyboys
#wrdz