Martyr, n.

One who moves along the line of least reluctance to a desired death.
—  Ambrose Bierce
From his book: “The Devil’s Dictionary“
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On This Day In:
2014	You, Too!
2013	Bitter Stand
2012	Lost For Words
2011	On Market Reactions…

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History, n.

An account mostly false, of events mostly unimportant, which are brought about by rulers mostly knaves, and soldiers mostly fools.
—  Ambrose Bierce
from: “The Devil’s Dictionary”
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On This Day In:
2014	See It Sometime
2013	Precious Friend
2012	It Couldn’t Be Done
	Feeling Surrounded?
2011	Surprise!

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Pray, v.

To ask that the laws of the universe be annulled in behalf of a single petitioner confessedly unworthy.
—  Ambrose Bierce
From:  “The Devil’s Dictionary“
Our prayers are answered not when we are given what we ask, but when we are challenged to be what we can be.
—  Morris Adler
[For a prayer I used to say whenever I had a big decision looming, see:   The Para’s Prayer on my Poems page.  —  KMAB]
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On This Day In:
2013	As I…
2012	But We Need Room
2011	A Definition Of Leadership

 

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Idiot, n.

A member of a large and powerful tribe whose influence in human affairs has always been dominant and controlling.
—  Ambrose Bierce
From: “The Devil’s Dictionary“
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On This Day In:
2013	Temporary Reality
2012	The Great Objective
2011	Read A Book

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Destiny, n.

A tyrant’s authority for crime and a fool’s excuse for failure.
–  Ambrose Bierce
From: “The Devil’s Dictionary“
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On This Day In:
2013	No Apologies
2012	Utterly Convinced
2011	A Key To Effectiveness

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Dawn, n.

The time when men of reason go to bed. Certain old men prefer to rise at about that time, taking a cold bath and a long walk with an empty stomach, and otherwise mortifying the flesh.  They then point with pride to these practices as the cause of their sturdy health and ripe years; the truth being that they are hearty and old, not because of their habits, but in spite of them.  The reason we find only robust persons doing this thing is that it has killed all the others who have tried it.
–  Ambrose Bierce
From his book: “The Devil’s Dictionary“
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On This Day In:
2013	Ouch!
2012	Just Lookin’ Around
	Still Growing
2011	But Do You Want To?

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Heathen, n.

A benighted creature who has the folly to worship something that he can see and feel.
—  Ambrose Bierce
From his book: “The Devil’s Dictionary“
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On This Day In:
2013	Wisdom’s Folly
2012	When The Student Is Ready
	Disconnected Leadership
2011	The Complex Richness Of Life

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