Insurrection. An unsuccessful revolution; disaffection's failure to substitute misrule for bad government.
Interpretation
The quote implies that uprising without effective change results in continued discontent.
Ambrose Bierce defines insurrection as not merely an attempt to overthrow a government but highlights its failure in achieving true reform. The quote stresses that when a rebellion does not lead to substantial change, it merely perpetuates the cycle of dissatisfaction, suggesting that simply resisting bad governance is insufficient if it does not create a better system in its place.
In practice
In a discussion on political movements, one might say, 'As Bierce puts it, insurrection often results in a continuation of the status quo.'
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.
Liberty is not collective, it is personal. All liberty is individual liberty.
Nowhere in the world has the use of force alone resolved a conflict.
Now, we occupy a lowly position, both in space and rank in comparison with the heavenly sphere, and the Almighty is Most High not in space, but with respect to absolute existence, greatness and power.
There is no room for God in him who is full of himself.
Loneliness is different than isolation and solitude. Loneliness is a subjective feeling where the connections we need are greater than the connections we have. In the gap, we experience loneliness. It's distinct from the objective state of isolation, which is determined by the number of people around you.
Thirty-five is a very attractive age. London society is full of women of the very highest birth who have, of their own free choice, remained thirty-five for years.
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