TALK, v.t. To commit an indiscretion without temptation, from an impulse without purpose.
Interpretation
Talking can often lead to unintended consequences, especially when done impulsively and without thoughtful intent.
In this quote, Ambrose Bierce humorously suggests that talking is sometimes an act of folly, driven by impulse rather than clear intention. It implies that many conversations lack depth and can result in regrettable statements, highlighting the precarious nature of verbal communication.
In practice
During a toast at a wedding, someone might reference this quote to remind everyone to think before they speak.
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.
I've always thought that a big laugh is a really loud noise from the soul saying, "Ain't that the truth."
First of all, I'm no better than the next person.
Well, Art is Art, isn't it? Still, on the other hand, water is water. And east is east and west is west and if you take cranberries and stew them like applesauce they taste much more like prunes than rhubarb does. Now you tell me what you know.
A new poll shows that Tiger Woods' popularity has dropped from 85 percent to 33 percent. President Obama's popularity is also at 33 percent, but Tiger had more fun getting there.
Gravityβ: βItβs the story of how George Clooney would rather float away into space and die then spend one more minute with a woman his own age.
I ask people why they have deer heads on their walls. They always say because it's such a beautiful animal. There you go. I think my mother is attractive, but I have photographs of her.
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