LEAD, n. A heavy blue-gray metal much used in giving stability to light lovers - particularly to those who love not wisely but other men's wives.
Interpretation
This quote humorously critiques infidelity and the complexities of love.
Ambrose Bierce cleverly uses wordplay to explore themes of love and fidelity, suggesting that the element 'lead' is metaphorically used to weigh down or stabilize 'light lovers,' those who fall in love without wisdom, especially when it involves others' partners. This sardonic definition highlights the foolishness of love entangled in deception and jealousy.
In practice
A discussion about the complexities of love and partnerships during a social gathering.
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.
If I paid ten dollars for a cigar, first I'd make love to it, then I'd smoke it.
A holding company is a thing where you hand an accomplice the goods while the policeman searches you.
Never underestimate the power of stupid people in large groups.
A sense of humor is good for you. Have you ever heard of a laughing hyena with heart burn?
I was so ugly that my parents sent my picture to 'ripley's believe it or not' - they sent it back and said, "we don't believe it."
Twas Noah who first planted the vine_x000D_ _x000D_ And mended his morals by drinking its wine.
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