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.
Vote: the instrument and symbol of a freeman's power to make a fool of himself and a wreck of his country.
Interpretation
What this quote means
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.
Themes
In practice
Example use cases
During a discussion on the importance of voter education, one could quote this to emphasize the need for informed voting.
More from Ambrose Bierce
All quotes βHuman 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.
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