EPITAPH, N. An Inscription On A Tomb, Showing That Virtues Acquired By Death Have A Retroactive Effect.

EPITAPH, N. An Inscription On A Tomb, Showing That Virtues Acquired By Death Have A Retroactive Effect.

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EPITAPH, n. An inscription on a tomb, showing that virtues acquired
by death have a retroactive effect. Following is a touching example:

Here lie the bones of Parson Platt,
Wise, pious, humble and all that,
Who showed us life as all should live it;
Let that be said -- and God forgive it!
-- Ambrose Bierce, "The Devil's Dictionary"

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IGNORAMUS, n. A person unacquainted with certain kinds of knowledge familiar to yourself, and having certain other kinds that you know nothing about.
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SABBATH, n. A weekly festival having its origin in the fact that God made the world in six days and was arrested on the seventh.
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THEOSOPHY, n. An ancient faith having all the certitude of religion and all the mystery of science.
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Example is better than following it. -- Ambrose Bierce, "The Devil's Dictionary
Birth, n.: The first and direst of all disasters. -- Ambrose Bierce, "The Devil's Dictionary
ADHERENT, n. A follower who has not yet obtained all that he expects to get.
-- Ambrose Bierce, "The Devil's Dictionary...