Vote: the instrument and symbol of a freeman's power to make a fool of himself and a wreck of his country.
Interpretation
This quote highlights the ironic nature of voting, suggesting it can lead to poor choices that harm society.
Ambrose Bierce's quote underscores the paradox of democracy, where the freedom to vote is both a powerful tool for expressing one's opinions and a potential avenue for making poor decisions that can have detrimental effects on a country. It critiques the notion that voting is always an intelligent exercise of freedom, reminding us that the choice made at the polls can reflect foolishness and lead to significant consequences for the nation.
In practice
During a discussion on the importance of voter education, one could quote this to emphasize the need for informed voting.
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.
Dr Urbino did not agree: in his opinion a Liberal president was exactly the same as a Conservative president, but not as well dressed.
I am the Democratic Party's candidate for president who happens also to be a Catholic. I do not speak for my church on public matters - and the church does not speak for me.
Since a politician never believes what he says, he is quite surprised to be taken at his word.
Fighting corruption is not just good governance. It's self-defense. It's patriotism.
You know, there is a long tradition in the U.S. of, um, promoting elections up to the point that you get an outcome you don't like. Look at Latin America in the Cold War.
Do the elected officials in Washington stand with ordinary Americans - working families, children, the elderly, the poor - or will the extraordinary power of billionaire campaign contributors and Big Money prevail? The American people, by the millions, must send Congress the answer to that question.
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