International arbitration may be defined as the substitution of many burning questions for a smoldering one.
Ambrose Bierce Quotes
Lexicographer, n. A pestilent fellow who, under the pretense of recording some particular stage in the development of a language, does what he can to arrest its growth, stiffen its flexibility and mechanize its methods. For your lexicographer, having written his dictionary, comes to be considered “as one having authority,” whereas his function is only […]
Dictionary, n. A malevolent literary device for cramping the growth of a language and making it hard and inelastic. This (my) dictionary, however, is a most useful work.
Introduction, n. A social ceremony invented by the devil for the gratification of his servants and the plaguing of his enemies.
Ruin, v. To destroy. Specifically, to destroy a maid’s belief in the virtue of maids.
Destiny, n. A tyrant’s authority for crime and fool’s excuse for failure.
Hypochondriasis, n. Depression of one’s own spirits.
Refusal, n. Denial of something desired; Refusals are graded in a descending scale of finality thus: the refusal absolute, the refusal condition, the refusal tentative and the refusal feminine. The last is called by some casuists the refusal assentive.
Dentist, n.: A Prestidigitator who, putting metal in one’s mouth, pulls coins out of one’s pockets.
Dependent, adj. Reliant upon another’s generosity for the support which you are not in a position to exact from his fears.
