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THE DEVIL'S DICTIONARY Ambrose Bierce - Sunny Hills High School

THE DEVIL'S DICTIONARY Ambrose Bierce - Sunny Hills High School

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<strong>Ambrose</strong> <strong>Bierce</strong> The Devil’s Dictionary<br />

PANTOMIME, n. A play in which the story is told without violence to<br />

the language. The least disagreeable form of dramatic action.<br />

PARDON, v. To remit a penalty and restore to the life of crime. To<br />

add to the lure of crime the temptation of ingratitude.<br />

PASSPORT, n. A document treacherously inflicted upon a citizen going<br />

abroad, exposing him as an alien and pointing him out for special<br />

reprobation and outrage.<br />

PAST, n. That part of Eternity with some small fraction of which we<br />

have a slight and regrettable acquaintance. A moving line called the<br />

Present parts it from an imaginary period known as the Future. These<br />

two grand divisions of Eternity, of which the one is continually<br />

effacing the other, are entirely unlike. The one is dark with sorrow<br />

and disappointment, the other bright with prosperity and joy. The<br />

Past is the region of sobs, the Future is the realm of song. In the<br />

one crouches Memory, clad in sackcloth and ashes, mumbling penitential<br />

prayer; in the sunshine of the other Hope flies with a free wing,<br />

beckoning to temples of success and bowers of ease. Yet the Past is<br />

the Future of yesterday, the Future is the Past of to‐morrow. They<br />

are one‐‐the knowledge and the dream.<br />

PASTIME, n. A device for promoting dejection. Gentle exercise for<br />

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