Cribbage, n. A substitute for conversation among those to whom nature has denied ideas.
Interpretation
This quote humorously suggests that cribbage is a game enjoyed by those who lack engaging ideas for conversation.
Ambrose Bierce's quote reflects a satirical view on social interactions, pointing out that for certain individuals, playing cribbage becomes a replacement for meaningful dialogue. It implies that when people are devoid of interesting thoughts, they resort to games as a means to connect, highlighting both the limitations and absurdities of conversation in certain social circles.
In practice
This quote can be used during a lighthearted discussion about board games at a party.
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.
I'd like to make you laugh for about ten minutes though I'm gonna be on for an hour.
I have never developed indigestion from eating my words.
It is hard enough to be good at all, but to be good in comedy speaks for your character.
I never know when I am being funny, and the other way too. I don't think you can think about that. I don't think you can try to be funny. Some people are just funny.
I don't want to die now!" he yelled. "I've still got a headache! I don't want to go to heaven with a headache, I'd be all cross and wouldn't enjoy it!
Anyway, it's like with bikes,' said the first speaker authoritatively. 'I thought I was going to get this bike with seven gears and one of them razorblade saddles and purple paint and everything, and they gave me this light blue one. With a basket. A girl's bike.' 'Well. You're a girl,' said one of the others. 'That's sexism, that is. Going around giving people girly presents just because they're a girl.
Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.