ASS, n. A public singer with a good voice but no ear.
Interpretation
This quote humorously critiques the disparity between talent and skill, suggesting that someone may have a pleasant appearance or sound but lack the necessary understanding or appreciation for their craft.
Ambrose Bierce's quote playfully highlights the notion that an individual's outward appearance or vocal ability does not necessarily correlate with their true expertise or understanding of music. It points to the irony that a person can possess a 'good voice' yet be completely oblivious ('no ear') to the nuances and depth required to truly appreciate or perform music effectively.
In practice
This quote can be shared during a discussion about the nature of talent and skill in the arts.
PALM, n. A species of tree . . . of which the familiar "itching palm" ("Palma hominis") is most widely distributed . . . . This noble vegetable exudes a kind of invisible gum, which may be detected by applying to the bark a piece of gold or silver.
Human nature is pretty well balanced; for every lacking virtue there is a rough substitute that will serve at a pinch--as cunning is the wisdom of the unwise, and ferocity the courage of the coward.
Indigestion: A disease which the patient and his friends frequently mistake for deep religious conviction and concern for the salvation of mankind. As the simple Red Man of the Western Wild put it, with, it must be confessed, a certain force: 'Plenty well, no pray; big belly ache, heap God.'
Disobey n:To celebrate with an appropriate ceremony the maturity of a command
NOUMENON, n. That which exists, as distinguished from that which merely seems to exist, the latter being a phenomenon. The noumenon is a bit difficult to locate; it can be apprehended only by a process of reasoning - which is a phenomenon.
PARDON, v. To remit a penalty and restore to the life of crime. To add to the lure of crime the temptation of ingratitude.
A census taker once tried to test me. I ate his liver with some fava beans and a nice chianti.
I regret the passing of the studio system. I was very appreciative of it because I had no talent.
I think we're losing our sense of humor instead of being able to relax and laugh at ourselves. I don't care whether it's ethnicity, age, sexual orientation, or whose ox is being gored.
As soon as I realized you could be funny as a job, that was the job I wanted.
I'm sittin' on my watch so I can be on time.
I don't want to die now!" he yelled. "I've still got a headache! I don't want to go to heaven with a headache, I'd be all cross and wouldn't enjoy it!
Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.