BONDSMAN, n. A fool who, having property of his own, undertakes to
become responsible for that entrusted to another to a third.
Philippe of Orleans wishing to appoint one of his favorites, a
dissolute nobleman, to a high office, asked him what security he would
be able to give. "I need no bondsmen," he replied, "for I can give
you my word of honor." "And pray what may be the value of that?"
inquired the amused Regent. "Monsieur, it is worth its weight in
gold."
-- Ambrose Bierce, "The Devil's Dictionary"
become responsible for that entrusted to another to a third.
Philippe of Orleans wishing to appoint one of his favorites, a
dissolute nobleman, to a high office, asked him what security he would
be able to give. "I need no bondsmen," he replied, "for I can give
you my word of honor." "And pray what may be the value of that?"
inquired the amused Regent. "Monsieur, it is worth its weight in
gold."
-- Ambrose Bierce, "The Devil's Dictionary"
Related:
- SAINT, n. A dead sinner revised and edited.
The Duchess of Orleans relates that the irreverent old
calumniator,
Marshal Villeroi, who in his youth had known St. Francis... - RELIGION, n. A daughter of Hope and Fear, explaining to Ignorance the
nature of the Unknowable.
"What is your religion my son?" inquired the Archbishop... - INGRATE, n. One who receives a benefit from another,
or is otherwise an object of charity. "All men... - After his Ignoble Disgrace, Satan was being expelled from
Heaven.
As he passed through the Gates, he paused a moment... - After his Ignoble Disgrace, Satan was being expelled from
Heaven.
As he passed through the Gates, he paused a moment... - EMANCIPATION, n. A bondman's change from the tyranny of another to
the despotism of himself.
He was a slave: at word he went and came; ... - PREFERENCE, n. A sentiment, or frame of mind, induced by the
erroneous belief that one thing is better than another.
An ancient philosopher, expounding his conviction that... - KING, n. A male person commonly known in America as a "crowned head,"
although he never wears a crown and has usually no head to speak of.
A king, in times long, long gone by, Said to...
From the same category:
- like nailing jelly to a tree: adj. Used to describe a task thought
to be impossible,
esp. one in which the difficulty arises from poor... - How often it is that the angry woman rages denial
of what her inner self is telling her... - How would a Solamnic Knight change a light light bulb?
According to the Code and the Measure of course... - Clear the laundromat!! This whirl-o-matic just had a nuclear meltdown!
Zippy the... - A traveller should have a hog's nose, a deer's legs,
and an ass's back. -- Ben...
