Insurance - an ingenious modern game of chance in which the player is permitted to enjoy the comfortable conviction that he is beating the man who keeps the table.
Interpretation
The quote humorously critiques insurance as a gamble where the insured feels like they are winning against the insurer.
Ambrose Bierce's quote on insurance strips away the illusion of security that insurance provides, portraying it as a modern gamble. It highlights the paradox of individuals feeling victorious when they purchase insurance, unaware that they are playing a game where the odds are often stacked against them, and the true 'house' rarely loses.
In practice
In a debate about financial security, one might quote Bierce to emphasize the illusion behind insurance.
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.
This is actually a very important principle that science is learning about large systems like evolution and that futurists are learning about anticipating human society: just because a future scenario is plausible doesn't mean we can get there from here.
Americans, while occasionally willing to be serfs, have always been obstinate about being peasantry.
The soul is the prison of the body.
Mad Hatter: “Why is a raven like a writing-desk?” “Have you guessed the riddle yet?” the Hatter said, turning to Alice again. “No, I give it up,” Alice replied: “What’s the answer?” “I haven’t the slightest idea,” said the Hatter
There is no sadder sight in the world than to see a beautiful theory killed by a brutal fact.
May I not come before You with empty hands, since we are rewarded according to our deeds.
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