Ambrose Gwinett Bierce

"Abstainer. A weak man who yields to the temptation of denying himself a pleasure. "

"Absurdity. A statement or belief manifestly inconsistent with one's own opinion. "

"Acquaintance. A person whom we know well enough to borrow from, but not well enough to lend to. "

"All are lunatics, but he who can analyze his delusions is called a philosopher. "

"Callous, adj. Gifted with great fortitude to bear the evils afflicting another. "

"Children require guidance and sympathy far more than instruction. "

"Egotist a person more interested in himself than in me. "

"Genius - To know without having learned to draw just conclusions from unknown premises to discern the soul of things. "

"History is an account mostly false, of events mostly unimportant, which are brought about by rulers, mostly knaves, and soldiers, mostly fools. "

"Pray To ask that the laws of the universe be annulled in behalf of a single petitioner confessed unworthy. "

"Quoting the act of repeating erroneously the words of another. "

"The world has suffered more from the ravages of ill-advised marriages than from virginity. "

"There are four kinds of Homicide felonious, excusable, justifiable, and praiseworthy. "

"This ONLY is denied God The power to undo the past. "

"We know what happens to people who stay in the middle of the road. They get run over. "