SYCOPHANT- One who approaches Greatness on his belly so that he may not be commanded to turn and be kicked. He is sometimes an editor.
Interpretation
The quote humorously critiques those who flatter and submit to powerful people for personal gain.
Ambrose Bierce's quote on sycophants cleverly illustrates the nature of people who ingratiate themselves with powerful figures to seek approval or advancement. By using the metaphor of someone approaching greatness 'on his belly,' Bierce conveys the idea that such individuals often debase themselves in their quest for favor, suggesting both the absurdity and the depths of their lack of integrity while hinting at the sometimes extreme lengths to which people will go to avoid being challenged or punished.
In practice
In a discussion about workplace dynamics, one might use this quote to highlight the dangers of flattery among colleagues.
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.
She looked at nice young men as if she could smell their stupidity.
Somebody once asked me how I found Peter Jackson, and I said: 'Well, I parted his hair, and there he was.'
There is more stupidity than hydrogen in the universe, and it has a longer shelf life.
I remain just one thing, and one thing only - and that is a clown. It places me on a far higher plane than any politician.
My favourite comedian, of course, is Tim Conway. He has a way about him - being that belly-laugh kind of funny, and he has the improvisational skills, too. I've never seen anybody better.
I walk the streets, take the train, it's real simple. Some actors create their own mythology: 'Oh, I'm so famous I can't go places, because I created this mythology that I'm so famous I can't go places.'
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