GNU, n. An animal of South Africa, which in its domesticated state resembles a horse, a buffalo and a stag. In its wild condition it is something like a thunderbolt, an earthquake and a cyclone.
Interpretation
This quote humorously describes the gnu, highlighting its peculiar characteristics in a whimsical way.
Ambrose Bierce's quote about the gnu cleverly juxtaposes the animal's domesticated and wild forms, using exaggerated metaphors to illustrate the contrast between calm and chaos. The playful language not only brings humor but also invites readers to appreciate the unique nature of animals and the wild.
In practice
Use this quote in a presentation about the humor in nature.
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.
A fit of laughter, which has been indulged to excess, almost always produces a violent reaction.
It is very vulgar to talk about one's own business. Only people like stockbrokers do that, and then only at dinner parties.
Baseball has the great advantage over cricket of being sooner ended.
Some marriages are made in heaven, Mine was made in Hong Kong, by the same people who make those little rubber pork chops they sell in the pet department at Kmart.
I've battled with that type of stuff, but what I've found is that by doing stand-up, I've actually learned about depression and how to combat it. I don't have clinical, but I've definitely had my bouts with it.
To truly laugh, you must be able to take your pain, and play with it!
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