MISDEMEANOR, n. An infraction of the law having less dignity than a felony and constituting no claim to admittance into the best criminal society.
Interpretation
The quote humorously differentiates between misdemeanors and felonies, suggesting that even criminals have societal hierarchies.
Ambrose Bierce's definition of 'misdemeanor' satirizes the legal system by implying that even minor infractions are looked down upon when compared to serious crimes like felonies. The quote highlights the absurdity of how society views criminality and suggests that there is an elitism even within those who break the law, humorously pushing the idea that some crimes are more socially acceptable than others.
In practice
In a discussion about criminal justice, one might say, 'As Ambrose Bierce wisely noted, a misdemeanor is simply considered beneath the dignity of a felony.'
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.
Making people laugh is so much more difficult than making them sad. Too much fiction defaults to the somber, the tragic. This is because sad endings are easy in comparison - happy endings aren't at all simple to earn, especially when writing to an audience jaded by them.
Sailors ought never to go to church. They ought to go to hell, where it is much more comfortable.
I went to a bookstore and asked the saleswoman, 'Where's the self-help section?' She said if she told me, it would defeat the purpose.
For I am a bear of very little brain, and long words bother me.
Instead of working for the survival of the fittest, we should be working for the survival of the wittiest - then we can all die laughing.
I think fish is nice, but then I think that rain is wet, so who am I to judge?
Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.