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.
In those days spirits were brave, the stakes were high, men were real men, women were real women and small furry creatures from Alpha Centauri were real small furry creatures from Alpha Centauri.
There is one thing more exasperating than a wife who can cook and won't, and that's a wife who can't cook and will.
Nothing helps scenery like bacon and eggs.
It was great to be the rock comic, the shock comic. But after you've played Giants Stadium with Bon Jovi in front of 82,000 people, after you've done the 'Wild Thing' video with Jessica Hahn and every rock band from hell, you're not gonna top that.
I want everyone out there in TV land to touch the TV. Touch the back of the TV and get a shock for Jesus.
A Puritan is someone who is desperately afraid that, somewhere, someone might be having a good time.
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