GOOD, adj. Sensible, madam, to the worth of this present writer. Alive, sir, to the advantages of letting him alone.
Interpretation
This quote humorously critiques the concept of goodness and suggests that acknowledging the writer's worth is subjective, implying it's better to leave him be.
Ambrose Bierce's quote uses irony to depict the idea that what is deemed 'good' is often a matter of perspective. By suggesting that the present writer is sensible yet acknowledging the advantages of ignoring him, Bierce cleverly highlights the complexities of human judgment and the subjective nature of worth, all while infusing humor into the discourse.
In practice
During a speech about creativity, I could use this quote to emphasize the importance of allowing artistic freedom.
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.
I was making my living from a joke about my appearance that I didn't understand, and in a way still don't, because when I look in a mirror it doesn't seem funny to me.
One should take good care not to grow too wise for so great a pleasure of life as laughter.
Some people have a love of their fellow man in their hearts, and others require a light anesthetic.
Waiting for the conspiracy theorists to tell the truth is a little like leaving the front-porch light on for Jimmy Hoffa.
You may be sure that the Americans will commit all the stupidities they can think of, plus some that are beyond imagination.
There's no more faith in thee than in a stewed prune.
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