I think love is the most unbelievable, and critical, thing in civilization. Everything else is very mechanical and predictable, but love, you can't catch it.
Interpretation
Love is a fundamental and unpredictable element of humanity, unlike predictable aspects of life.
In this quote, Ambrose Bierce expresses the idea that love is an extraordinary and essential force in civilization. He contrasts love's unpredictable nature with the mechanical and routine aspects of life, highlighting its significance and the difficulty of defining or capturing it in a tangible way.
In practice
Using this quote in a Valentine's Day speech to emphasize the importance of love.
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.
Happiness is not something you acquire; love is not something you produce; love is not something you have; love is something that has you.
A man loved by a beautiful woman will always get out of trouble.
If there are junk yards in hell, love is the dog that guards the gates.
Christmas means 'giving,' and the gift without the giver is bare. Give of yourselves; give of your substance; give of your heart and mind.
Mother's love is peace. It need not be acquired, it need not be deserved.
Love is the magician that pulls man out of his own hat.
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