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FIB, n. A lie that has not cut its teeth. An habitual liar's nearest approach to truth: the perigee of his eccentric orbit.
Ambrose Bierce
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Interpretation

What this quote means

The quote humorously defines a lie that is not fully developed yet, capturing the essence of dishonesty.

Ambrose Bierce uses wit to describe a fib as a preliminary form of lying, suggesting that it is a less severe version of a full-blown lie. By invoking the image of a habitual liar's approach to truth, he illustrates the complex relationship between honesty and deception, all while employing clever wordplay that elicits a smile.

Themes

LieTruthHumorDishonestyDeception

In practice

Example use cases

In a light-hearted discussion about exaggerations in everyday life.

More from Ambrose Bierce

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.
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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.
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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.'
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Disobey n:To celebrate with an appropriate ceremony the maturity of a command
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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.
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PARDON, v. To remit a penalty and restore to the life of crime. To add to the lure of crime the temptation of ingratitude.
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Quote by Ambrose Bierce | QuoteProject