REALITY, n. The dream of a mad philosopher. That which would remain in the cupel if one should assay a phantom. The nucleus of a vacuum.
Interpretation
Reality is a complex concept that can be perceived differently by individuals, often described metaphorically as a dream or illusion.
In this quote, Ambrose Bierce presents a skeptical view of reality, suggesting that what we perceive and understand as reality may not be fundamentally real at all, but rather a construct of our perception, akin to a dream or the thoughts of a mad philosopher. This emphasizes the subjective nature of reality and raises questions about the validity of our experiences and beliefs.
In practice
In a philosophical discussion about the nature of reality, one might quote this to provoke thought.
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.
... in practice the standard for what constitutes rape is set not at the level of women's experience of violation but just above the level of coercion acceptable to men.
PROCTOR--he knows it is insane: No, it is not the same! What others say and what i sign to is not the same!
It is bad for a young man to sin; but it is worse for an old man to sin.
People are always angry at anyone who chooses very individual standards for his life; because of the extraordinary treatment which that man grants to himself, they feel degraded, like ordinary beings.
Accursed creator! Why did you form a monster so hideous that even you turned from me in disgust?
What is right is not always the same as what is legal
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