Cribbage, n. A substitute for conversation among those to whom nature has denied ideas.
Interpretation
This quote humorously suggests that cribbage is a game enjoyed by those who lack engaging ideas for conversation.
Ambrose Bierce's quote reflects a satirical view on social interactions, pointing out that for certain individuals, playing cribbage becomes a replacement for meaningful dialogue. It implies that when people are devoid of interesting thoughts, they resort to games as a means to connect, highlighting both the limitations and absurdities of conversation in certain social circles.
In practice
This quote can be used during a lighthearted discussion about board games at a party.
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 man should have two wives: one to love and one to sew on his buttons.
"What's so unpleasant about being drunk?" "Ask a glass of water."
I don't get up, get dressed, go out, and think, 'Okay, I gotta find eight jokes.'
I never joined the Boy Scouts. I don't trust any organization that has a handbook.
IsnΒ΄t it strange how wealth is always wasted on the rich?
I shouldn't be saying this, high treason really, but I sometimes wonder if Americans aren't fooled by our accent into detecting a brilliance that may not really be there.
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