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Loading... The Unabridged Devil's Dictionary (edition 2001)by Ambrose BierceI suppose I should contribute my favorite entry: FOOL, n. A person who pervades the domain of intellectual speculation and diffuses himself through the channels of moral activity. He is omnific, omniform, omnipercipient, omniscience, omnipotent. He it was who invented letters, printing, the railroad, the steamboat, the telegraph, the platitude and the circle of the sciences. He created patriotism and taught the nations war -- founded theology, philosophy, law, medicine and Chicago. He established monarchical and republican government. He is from everlasting to everlasting -- such as creation's dawn beheld he fooleth now. In the morning of time he sang upon primitive hills, and in the noonday of existence headed the procession of being. His grandmotherly hand was warmly tucked-in the set sun of civilization, and in the twilight he prepares Man's evening meal of milk-and-morality and turns down the covers of the universal grave. And after the rest of us shall have retired for the night of eternal oblivion he will sit up to write a history of human civilization. I suppose I should contribute my favorite entry: FOOL, n. A person who pervades the domain of intellectual speculation and diffuses himself through the channels of moral activity. He is omnific, omniform, omnipercipient, omniscience, omnipotent. He it was who invented letters, printing, the railroad, the steamboat, the telegraph, the platitude and the circle of the sciences. He created patriotism and taught the nations war -- founded theology, philosophy, law, medicine and Chicago. He established monarchical and republican government. He is from everlasting to everlasting -- such as creation's dawn beheld he fooleth now. In the morning of time he sang upon primitive hills, and in the noonday of existence headed the procession of being. His grandmotherly hand was warmly tucked-in the set sun of civilization, and in the twilight he prepares Man's evening meal of milk-and-morality and turns down the covers of the universal grave. And after the rest of us shall have retired for the night of eternal oblivion he will sit up to write a history of human civilization. A colleague of mine recommended this book to me a few years ago- I had completely forgotten to read it until I was reminded once again recently. I'm so happy that I've finally gotten around to it, and quite honestly, it's probably best that I waited. The first time The Devil's Dictionary was recommended to me, much of the humour would probably been out of my depth. It's only through living that we can gain the necessary cynicism required to fully appreciate the satirical humour in this book. Favourite Quote: 'Mad.adj. Affected with a high degree of intellectual independence.’ Admittedly, there were still a few 'definitions' that were beyond my scope, not having been around in 1911, but those were few and far between. Many of the definitions are still relevant to day. I highly recommend this to any cynic out there that enjoys a wickedly funny satirical read. Bierce was well known for his caustic wit. This book is literally a small dictionary of words, the definitions of which are a biting commentary on human nature. The man was definitely a pessimist in his attitude toward the human race & I wouldn't recommend reading this in a single sitting, it's hard to put down. I like to pick it up occasionally, especially if I'm in a bad mood. If nothing else, it spruces up your insults. |
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