[lit-ideas] The Devil's Dictionary

Allow me to recommend Ambrose Bierce's "Unabridged Devil's Dictionary" to those 
who do not yet possess this valuable reference work. I myself have just 
acquired it after an extended period (several years) of meaning to acquire it. 
It is an excellent book to put in any of those places you have to sit or stand 
around and wait in in your daily life (kitchen waiting for your soft-boiled 
egg, bathroom, next to your computer if you have a rubbish dial-up connection 
that takes FOREVER to download anything at all, car after school waiting for 
your parent-despising teenage son to take leave of his parent-despising cronies 
after orchestra, etc). It is also available online, but of course has only 
limited applications in this form: 


http://xroads.virginia.edu/~Hyper/Bierce/bierce.html 



Some random sample entries:



DEAD, adj.



Done with the work of breathing; done
With all the world; the mad race run
Though to the end; the golden goal
Attained and found to be a hole!



LIFE, n. A spiritual pickle preserving the body from decay. We live in daily 
apprehension of its loss; yet when lost it is not missed. The question, "Is 
life worth living?" has been much discussed; particularly by those who think it 
is not, many of whom have written at great length in support of their view and 
by careful observance of the laws of health enjoyed for long terms of years the 
honors of successful controversy.



IDIOT, n. A member of a large and powerful tribe whose influence in human 
affairs has always been dominant and controlling. The Idiot's activity is not 
confined to any special field of thought or action, but "pervades and regulates 
the whole."



All best, Mirembe

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