OPERA, n. A play representing life in another world, whose inhabitants have no speech but song, no motions but gestures and no postures but attitudes.
Interpretation
Opera is a dramatic art form that expresses emotions and narratives through music and performance rather than spoken dialogue.
This quote by Ambrose Bierce provides a whimsical definition of opera, emphasizing its unique nature as an art form that transcends the limitations of language and conventional acting. It illustrates how opera conveys complex human experiences and emotions through song, gesture, and attitude, thereby immersing its audience in a world where traditional communication is transformed into a rich tapestry of artistic expression.
In practice
This quote can be used to introduce a lecture on the significance of music in drama and performance arts.
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.
For me, architecture is the means, not the end. It's a means of making different life forms possible.
A surprising proportion of mathematicians are accomplished musicians. Is it because music and mathematics share patterns that are beautiful?
If you foolishly ignore beauty, then you will soon find yourself without it.
When I moved to New York City in 1965, I wanted to be in theater. I was following my Ethel Barrymore dream. But I was too young to be Ethel.
The best book, like the best speech, will do it all - make us laugh, think, cry and cheer - preferably in that order.
I think you get most of the most interesting work done in fields where people don't think they're doing art but are merely practicing a craft and working as good craftsmen. Being literate as a writer is good craft, is knowing your job, is knowing how to use your tools properly and not to damage the tools as you use them.
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