IN'ARDS, n. The stomach, heart, soul and other bowels. Many eminent
investigators do not class the soul as an in'ard, but that acute
observer and renowned authority, Dr. Gunsaulus, is persuaded that the
mysterious organ known as the spleen is nothing less than our
important part. To the contrary, Professor Garrett P. Servis holds
that man's soul is that prolongation of his spinal marrow which forms
the pith of his no tail; and for demonstration of his faith points
confidently to the fact that no tailed animals have no souls.
Concerning these two theories, it is best to suspend judgment by
believing both.
-- Ambrose Bierce, "The Devil's Dictionary"
investigators do not class the soul as an in'ard, but that acute
observer and renowned authority, Dr. Gunsaulus, is persuaded that the
mysterious organ known as the spleen is nothing less than our
important part. To the contrary, Professor Garrett P. Servis holds
that man's soul is that prolongation of his spinal marrow which forms
the pith of his no tail; and for demonstration of his faith points
confidently to the fact that no tailed animals have no souls.
Concerning these two theories, it is best to suspend judgment by
believing both.
-- Ambrose Bierce, "The Devil's Dictionary"
Related:
- MOUTH, n. In man, the gateway to the soul; in woman,
the outlet of the heart. -- Ambrose Bierce, "The Devil's... - GUILLOTINE, n. A machine which makes a Frenchman shrug his shoulders
with good reason.
In his great work on _Divergent Lines of Racial Evolution_... - 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.
Excepting in its foetal state, Man is without a tail... - HIBERNATE, v.i. To pass the winter season in domestic seclusion.
There have been many singular popular notions about... - ADMONITION, n. Gentle reproof, as with a meat-axe.
Friendly warning. Consigned by way of admonition... - J is a consonant in English, but some nations use it as a vowel -
than which nothing could be more absurd. Its original... - EPIGRAM, n. A short, sharp saying in prose or verse,
frequently characterize by acidity or acerbity and... - LOSS, n. Privation of that which we had, or had not.
Thus, in the latter sense, it is said of a defeated... - POSTERITY, n. An appellate court which reverses the judgment of a
popular author's contemporaries,
the appellant being his obscure competitor. -- Ambrose...
