History is an account, mostly false, of events, mostly unimportant, which are brought about by rulers, mostly knaves, and soldiers, mostly fools.
Interpretation
History is often misrepresented and influenced by unworthy individuals and trivial events.
Ambrose Bierce's quote reflects a cynical view of history, suggesting that what we know as history is frequently distorted by the motivations of those in power, such as rulers and soldiers. He characterizes these figures as untrustworthy and foolish, indicating that the events they shape are often unimportant in the grand scheme of life, revealing a skepticism about the accuracy and value of recorded history.
In practice
This quote could be used in a history class discussion to emphasize the importance of questioning historical narratives.
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.
There would be more sense in insisting on man's limitations because he cannot be a mother than on a woman's because she can be.
It is reckless to make broad generalizations about any group of people.
When you forcefully suppress religious nationalism, you radicalize it.
One does one's thinking before one knows what one is to think about.
Our repugnance to death increases in proportion to our consciousness of having lived in vain.
The wind is rushing after us, and the clouds are flying after us, and the moon is plunging after us, and the whole wild night is in pursuit of us; but, so far we are pursued by nothing else.
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