TAIL, n. The part of an animal's spine that has transcended its natural limitations to set up an independent existence in a world of its own.
Interpretation
This quote humorously describes a tail as an entity that has evolved to live independently from the body.
Ambrose Bierce uses wit to characterize a tail in a way that personifies it, suggesting that it has developed its own identity separate from the animal it belongs to. This reflection on a seemingly simple aspect of anatomy encourages us to think about the bizarre and humorous realities of life, where even parts of a creature can seem to have their own purpose or existence.
In practice
In a lighthearted speech about accepting quirks, one might say, 'Like a tail, sometimes the parts of us that seem separate can enrich our lives.'
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.
Sex: the pleasure is momentary, the position ridiculous, and the expense damnable.
Boring damned people. All over the earth. Propagating more boring damned people. What a horror show. The earth swarmed with them.
Any man who eats dessert is not drinking enough.
In two decades I've lost a total of 789 pounds. I should be hanging from a charm bracelet.
Turgenev was a very serious fellow but he could make me laugh because a truth first encountered can be very funny. When someone else's truth is the same as your truth, and he seems to be saying it just for you, that's great.
The car suddenly veered off the road and we came to a sliding halt in the gravel. I was hurled against the dashboard. My attorney was slumped over the wheel. βWhatβs wrong?β I yelled. βWe canβt stop here. This is bat country!
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