ASS, n. A public singer with a good voice but no ear.
Interpretation
This quote humorously critiques the disparity between talent and skill, suggesting that someone may have a pleasant appearance or sound but lack the necessary understanding or appreciation for their craft.
Ambrose Bierce's quote playfully highlights the notion that an individual's outward appearance or vocal ability does not necessarily correlate with their true expertise or understanding of music. It points to the irony that a person can possess a 'good voice' yet be completely oblivious ('no ear') to the nuances and depth required to truly appreciate or perform music effectively.
In practice
This quote can be shared during a discussion about the nature of talent and skill in the arts.
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.
Think of how stupid the average person is, and realize half of them are stupider than that.
An escalator can never break: it can only become stairs. You should never see an Escalator Temporarily Out Of Order sign, just Escalator Temporarily Stairs. Sorry for the convenience.
Never run after you own hat - others will be delighted to do it; why spoil their fun?
A German is someone who cannot tell a lie without believing it himself.
You can't deny laughter; when it comes, it plops down in your favorite chair and stays as long as it wants.
When someone pitches a joke for a character that is just perfect, and you can imagine that actor reading that line at your table read or on the set, it's like the sound of a snap snapping into place.
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