Insurrection. An unsuccessful revolution; disaffection's failure to substitute misrule for bad government.
Interpretation
The quote implies that uprising without effective change results in continued discontent.
Ambrose Bierce defines insurrection as not merely an attempt to overthrow a government but highlights its failure in achieving true reform. The quote stresses that when a rebellion does not lead to substantial change, it merely perpetuates the cycle of dissatisfaction, suggesting that simply resisting bad governance is insufficient if it does not create a better system in its place.
In practice
In a discussion on political movements, one might say, 'As Bierce puts it, insurrection often results in a continuation of the status quo.'
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 go on the principle that a public debt is a public curse and in a republican government more than in any other.
Now I can only pray that there may be a God -- and a heaven -- or something better.
We make a space inside ourselves, so that being can speak.
The essence of peace is to merge two opposites. Therefore your notions should not scare you if you see another, who absolutely opposes you, and you presume that there is no chance for peace between you two. On the same token when you see two individuals who are exactly two opposites, never say it would be impossible for them to reconcile. On the contrary, and this is the perfection of peace to make it between two opposites.
There should be a balance between material and spiritual progress, a balance achieved through the principles based on love and compassion.
Eternity to the godly is a day that has no sunset; eternity to the wicked is a night that has no sunrise.
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