MEDICINE, n. A stone flung down the Bowery to kill a dog in Broadway.
Interpretation
This quote humorously critiques the ineffectiveness or absurdity of medicine.
Ambrose Bierce's quote reflects a satirical take on medicine, suggesting that it is as futile or misplaced as attempting to throw a stone down a street to solve a problem. It uses humor to critique the medical profession and highlight the sometimes ridiculous nature of treatments and interventions that do not effectively address the underlying issues.
In practice
This quote can be used in a discussion about the limitations of medical treatments in a humorous context.
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.
If you've heard this story before, don't stop me, because I'd like to hear it again.
Why anybody gets my sense of humor I never know, but I do know that when they do, I keep them as close as I possibly can.
It often happens that I wake up at night and begin to think about a serious problem and decide I must tell the Pope about it. Then I wake up completely and remember that I am the Pope.
Well, Bud," he said, looking at me, "I'll be damned if you don't go to a lot of trouble to have your fun. Kidnapping, then fighting. What do you do on your holidays? Burn houses?
I left school and couldn't find acting work, so I started going to clubs where you could do stand-up. I've always improvised, and stand-up was this great release. All of a sudden, it was just me and the audience.
Little League baseball is a very good thing because it keeps the parents off the streets.
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