TRUST, n. In American politics, a large corporation composed in greater part of thrifty working men, widows of small means, orphans in the care of guardians and the courts, with many similar malefactors and public enemies.
Interpretation
This quote humorously critiques the nature of trust in American politics, suggesting that corporations often act against the public's interest while claiming to serve it.
Ambrose Bierce's definition of 'trust' in this quote highlights the irony in how large corporations, often seen as benefactors or protectors, can actually operate in ways that are detrimental to the very people they are purported to support. By describing trustworthy entities as comprised of 'thrifty working men' and 'widows of small means,' he underscores the exploitation and manipulation involved in politics, suggesting that trust may be misapplied in these contexts.
In practice
In a political debate, referencing this quote can highlight concerns about corporate influence.
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.
Your every voter, as surely as your chief magistrate, exercises a public trust.
That no government, so called, can reasonably be trusted, or reasonably be supposed to have honest purposes in view, any longer than it depends wholly upon voluntary support.
If the Government gets into business on any large scale, we soon find that the beneficiaries attempt to play a large part in the control. While in theory it is to serve the public, in practice it will be very largely serving private interests. It comes to be regarded as a species of government favor and those who are the most adroit get the larger part of it.
There is much that women can bring into politics that would make our world a kinder, gentler place for humanity to thrive in.
Sometimes the idiots outvote the sensible people.
When scrutiny is lacking, tyranny, corruption and man's baser qualities have a better chance of entering into the public business of any government.
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