The MMOB Daily Quote - Ambrose Bierce

Ambrose Gwinnett Bierce (June 24, 1842–1914?)

Today's subject of The MMOB Daily Quote was an American writer and journalist best known for his satirical work The Devil's Dictionary. He earned the nickname "Bitter Bierce" because of his searing criticism and apparently is on the list of those propagating anti-Freemasonry for his strident efforts to find the true meaning behind the organization's rituals and symbolism. His date of death is unknown as he disappeared in Mexico in 1913 while experiencing that country's ongoing revolution. The theory is that he joined up with Pancho Villa's army after serving as an observer, but there is no solid proof.

Here's an example of Bierce's short story An Occurance at Owl Creek Bridge. It's the first of 5 short clips that tell the entire story. Enjoy!



And now, some quotes from Ambrose to get us started on a Wednesday.

A man is known by the company he organizes.

A person who doubts himself is like a man who would enlist in the ranks of his enemies and bear arms agains himself. He makes his failure certain by himself being the first person to be convinced of it.

A total abstainer is one who abstains from everything but abstention, and especially from inactivity in the affairs of others.

Ability is commonly found to consist mainly in a high degree of solemnity.

Absence blots people out. We really have no absent friends.

An egotist is a person of low taste - more interested in himself than in me.

All are lunatics, but he who can analyze his delusions is called a philosopher.


Lastly, here are some samples from The Devil's Dictionary:

Abscond, v.: to move in a mysterious way, commonly with the property of another.

Abstainer, n.: a weak person who yields to the temptation of denying himself a pleasure.

Absurdity, n.: A statement or belief manifestly inconsistent with one's own opinion.

Academe, n.: An ancient school where morality and philosophy were taught. Academy, n.: A modern school where football is taught.

Acquaintance, n.: A person whom we know well enough to borrow from, but not well enough to lend to.

Admiral, n.: That part of a warship which does the talking while the figurehead does the thinking.

Admiration, n.: Our polite recognition of another's resemblance to ourselves.

Alliance, n.: in international politics, the union of two thieves who have their hands so deeply inserted in each other's pockets that they cannot separately plunder a third.

Ambidextrous, adj.: Able to pick with equal skill a right-hand pocket or a left.

Ambition, n.: An overmastering desire to be vilified by enemies while living and made ridiculous by friends when dead.

Amnesty, n.: The state's magnanimity to those offenders whom it would be too expensive to punish.

Cheers! - Jason