REALITY, n. The dream of a mad philosopher. That which would remain in the cupel if one should assay a phantom. The nucleus of a vacuum.
Interpretation
Reality is a complex concept that can be perceived differently by individuals, often described metaphorically as a dream or illusion.
In this quote, Ambrose Bierce presents a skeptical view of reality, suggesting that what we perceive and understand as reality may not be fundamentally real at all, but rather a construct of our perception, akin to a dream or the thoughts of a mad philosopher. This emphasizes the subjective nature of reality and raises questions about the validity of our experiences and beliefs.
In practice
In a philosophical discussion about the nature of reality, one might quote this to provoke thought.
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.
To me, Faith is not just a noun but also a verb
It was once said that the moral test of government is how that government treats those who are in the dawn of life, the children; those who are in the twilight of life, the elderly; and those who are in the shadows of life, the sick, the needy and the handicapped.
There is nothing worse than an idle hour, with no occupation offering. People who have many such hours are simply animals waiting docilely for death. We all come to that state soon or late. It is the curse of senility.
The world owes us nothing; we owe each other the world.
We no longer admit any other truth than that which is expedient; for there is no worse error than the truth that may weaken the arm that is fighting.
We call a man a bigot or a slave of dogma because he is a thinker who has thought thoroughly and to a definite end.
Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.