Love, n. A temporary insanity curable by marriage or by removal of the patient from the influences under which he incurred the disorder. This disease, like caries and many other ailments, is prevalent only among civilized races living under artificial conditions; barbarous nations breathing pure air and eating simple food enjoy immunity from its ravages. It is sometimes fatal, but more frequently to the physician than to the patient.
Interpretation
Love is described as a madness that can be cured by marriage or distancing oneself from the causes of that insanity.
Ambrose Bierce's quote humorously defines love as a form of temporary insanity that can be cured through marriage or by removing oneself from the conditions that create it. He suggests that love, perceived as a disorder or disease, predominantly affects those in civilized societies, often implying that simpler societies are free from such emotional turmoil due to their straightforward lifestyles. Furthermore, he whimsically points out that the affliction can often be more dangerous to those who attempt to treat it than to those who are in love.
In practice
This quote can be used in a wedding speech to humorously acknowledge the madness of love.
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.
Those who love you are not fooled by mistakes you have made or dark images you hold about yourself. They remember your beauty when you feel ugly; your wholeness when you are broken; your innocence when you feel guilty; and your purpose when you are confused.
True love allows each person to follow his or her own path, aware that doing so can never drive them apart.
Compassion is an action word with no boundaries.
Ere I could make thee open thy white hand, and clap thyself my love; then didst thou utter, I am your's for ever!
Heart, we will forget him, You and I, tonight! You must forget the warmth he gave, I will forget the light.
After a long day of trying, to make my songs pay, making love all day against the wall in the hallway.
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