REVOLUTION, n. In politics, an abrupt change in the form of misgovernment. . . . the substitution of the rule of an Administration for that of a Ministry, whereby the welfare and happiness of the people were advanced a full half-inch.
Interpretation
This quote critiques the often trivial nature of political revolutions, suggesting they result in minimal change for the populace.
Ambrose Bierce's quote satirically defines 'revolution' in political terms as merely a change in leadership without substantial improvement in the lives of the people. It suggests that while revolutions may bring about new administrations, the real impact on the welfare and happiness of the citizens is negligible, highlighting the often disappointing nature of political change.
In practice
Use this quote during a discussion on the effectiveness of political revolutions.
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 the year 2025, the best men don't run for president, they run for their lives. . . .
The politician attempts to remedy the evil by increasing the very thing that caused the evil in the first place: legal plunder.
In politics stupidity is not a handicap.
Appeasement does not work. As was the case in the 1930s, we see in Saddam Hussein an aggressive dictator threatening his neighbors.
The Republican Party has become overwhelmingly so extreme that it's hardly a traditional political party anymore.
Now you have people in Washington who have no interest in the country at all. They're interested in their companies, their corporations grabbing Caspian oil.
Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.