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.
My method is to take the utmost trouble to find the right thing to say, and then to say it with the utmost levity.
Comedy needs to happen naturally and be in touch with the character. When you see that guy in your office that everybody laughs at, he doesn't think he's funny. He's just being him, and that's the joke.
Too much of anything is bad, but too much Champagne is just right.
I can't afford to die; I'd lose too much money.
I came from a real tough neighborhood. Why, every time I shut the window I hurt somebody's fingers.
That evening I rode downtown on an unaccountably empty bus, sitting in the last row. At the front I saw a thin cloud of smoke rising around the driverβs head. βHey, bus driver,β I said. βCan I smoke?β βMay I,β said the bus driver. βI love you,β I said.
Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.