Ambrose Bierce Sayings and Quotes

Below you will find our collection of inspirational, wise, and humorous old Ambrose Bierce quotes, Ambrose Bierce sayings, and Ambrose Bierce proverbs, collected over the years from a variety of sources.'

Ambition. An overmastering desire to be vilified by enemies while living and made ridiculous by friends when dead. Ambrose Bierce
The hardest tumble a man can make is to fall over his own bluff. Ambrose Bierce
Speak when you are angry and you will make the best speech you will ever regret. Ambrose Bierce
They say that hens do cackle loudest when there is nothing vital in the eggs they have laid. Ambrose Bierce
Perseverance - a lowly virtue whereby mediocrity achieves an inglorious success. Ambrose Bierce
Photograph: a picture painted by the sun without instruction in art. Ambrose Bierce
Divorce: a resumption of diplomatic relations and rectification of boundaries. Ambrose Bierce
Ocean: A body of water occupying about two-thirds of a world made for man - who has no gills. Ambrose Bierce
The fact that boys are allowed to exist at all is evidence of a remarkable Christian forbearance among men. Ambrose Bierce
In each human heart are a tiger, a pig, an ass and a nightingale. Diversity of character is due to their unequal activity. Ambrose Bierce
Optimism: The doctrine or belief that everything is beautiful, including what is ugly. Ambrose Bierce
All are lunatics, but he who can analyze his delusions is called a philosopher. Ambrose Bierce
Photograph: a picture painted by the sun without instruction in art. Ambrose Bierce
Religion is the daughter of Hope and Fear, explaining to ignorance the nature of the Unknowable. Ambrose Bierce
All are lunatics, but he who can analyze his delusions is called a philosopher. Ambrose Bierce
SELFISH, adj. Devoid of consideration for the selfishness of others. Ambrose Bierce
Brain: an apparatus with which we think we think. Ambrose Bierce
DISCRIMINATE, v.i. To note the particulars in which one person or thing is, if possible, more objectionable than another. Ambrose Bierce
Birth: The first and direst of all disasters. Ambrose Bierce
To apologize is to lay the foundation for a future offense. Ambrose Bierce
Politics, noun. A strife of interests masquerading as a contest of principles. The conduct of public affairs for private advantage. Ambrose Bierce
Vote: the instrument and symbol of a freeman's power to make a fool of himself and a wreck of his country. Ambrose Bierce
FIDELITY, n. A virtue peculiar to those who are about to be betrayed. Ambrose Bierce
Prejudice - a vagrant opinion without visible means of support. Ambrose Bierce
Enthusiasm - a distemper of youth, curable by small doses of repentance in connection with outward applications of experience. Ambrose Bierce
An acquaintance is someone we know well enough to borrow from, but not well enough to lend to. Ambrose Bierce
Doubt, indulged and cherished, is in danger of becoming denial; but if honest, and bent on thorough investigation, it may soon lead to full establishment of the truth. Ambrose Bierce
Adolescence: A stage between infancy and adultery. Ambrose Bierce
Congratulations is the civility of envy. Ambrose Bierce
Philosophy, a route of many roads leading from nowhere to nothing. Ambrose Bierce