Posterity, n. An appellate court which reverses the judgment of a popular author’s contemporaries, the appellant being his obscure competitor.
Ambrose Bierce Quotes
Interregnum, n. The period during which a monarchical country is governed by a warm spot on the cushion of the throne. The experiment of letting the spot grow cold has commonly been attended by most unhappy results from the zeal of many worthy persons to
Positive, adj.: Mistaken at the top of one’s voice.
Conversation, n. A fair to the display of the minor mental commodities, each exhibitor being too intent upon the arrangement of his own wares to observe those of his neighbor.
Controversy, n. A battle in which spittle or ink replaces the injurious cannon-ball and the inconsiderate bayonet.
Impartial, adj. Unable to perceive any promise of personal advantage from espousing either side of a controversy or adopting either of two conflicting opinions.
Trial, n. A formal inquiry designed to prove and put upon record the blameless characters of judges, advocates and jurors. In order to effect this purpose it is necessary to supply a contrast in the person of one who is called the defendant.
Contempt, n. The feeling of a prudent man for an enemy who is too formidable safely to be opposed.
Famous, adj. Conspicuously miserable.
Oratory, n. A conspiracy between speech and action to cheat the understanding. A tyranny tempered by stenography.
