Inhumanity, n. One of the signal and characteristic qualities of humanity.
Interpretation
Inhumanity is a fundamental aspect of human nature, highlighting the contradictions within humanity itself.
This quote by Ambrose Bierce presents a paradoxical view of humanity, suggesting that inhumanity is not just an absence of humane qualities, but rather a defining characteristic of human existence. It implies that the capacity for cruelty and lack of empathy is an innate part of what it means to be human, challenging the notion that humans are inherently benevolent or compassionate.
In practice
In a discussion about the nature of evil in literature, one might quote Bierce to emphasize the complexity of human behavior.
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 don't believe in God but I'm very interested in her.
All the evidence of history suggests that man is indeed a rational animal, but with a near infinite capacity for folly. . . . He draws blueprints for Utopia, but never quite gets it built. In the end he plugs away obstinately with the only building material really ever at hand--his own part comic, part tragic, part cussed, but part glorious nature.
Let no act be done without purpose.
The pursuit of pleasure must be the goal of every rational person.
The more laws that are written, the more criminals are produced.
That which has always been accepted by everyone, everywhere, is almost certain to be false.
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