YOUTH, n. The Period of Possibility, when Archimedes finds a fulcrum, Cassandra has a following and seven cities compete for the honor of endowing a living Homer.
Interpretation
Youth is characterized by endless possibilities and great potential.
In this quote, Ambrose Bierce highlights youth as a time of vibrant possibilities and opportunities, where great achievements can be envisioned, much like Archimedes finding a fulcrum to move the world, or the cities that competed to honor Homer. This metaphor emphasizes the energy, ambition, and creativity of youth, suggesting that this period holds the key to realizing dreams and making impactful contributions to the world.
In practice
A motivational speaker could use this quote to inspire young audiences at a graduation ceremony.
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.
To fulfill a dream, to be allowed to sweat over lonely labor, to be given a chance to create, is the meat and potatoes of life. The money is the gravy.
I want to go everywhere, look at and listen to everything. You can go crazy with some of the wonderful stuff there is in life.
And through our travels we get separated, never forget:_x000D_ _x000D_ In order to survive, got to learn to live with regrets.
The most important thing is to live an interesting life. Keep your eyes, ears and heart open. Talk to people and visit interesting places, and don't forget to ask questions. To be a writer you need to drink in the world around you so it's always there in your head.
A life lived in chaos is an impossibility.
I’ve lived every day to the fullest, and I’ve had a marvelous time. I’ve tried to be nice to the people I care about, and ignore the ones I don’t. I enjoy what I’ve done.
Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.