What did I fear, and why? — I, to whom the night had been more familiar face than that of man —I, in whom that element of hereditary superstition from which none of us is altogether free had given to solitude and darkness and silence only a more alluring interest and charm!

— Ambrose Bierce

What this country needs what every country needs occasionally is a good hard bloody war to revive the vice of patriotism on which its existence as a nation depends.

— Ambrose Bierce

When he had ended, the holy hermit was a moment silent, then said: "My son, I have attended to thy story and I know the maiden. I have myself seen her, as have many. Know, then, that she is capricious for she imposed conditions that man cannot fulfill, and delinquency is punished by desertion. She comet only when unsought, and will not be questioned. One manifestation of curiosity, one sign of doubt, one expression of misgiving, and she is away!

— Ambrose Bierce

When you doubt, abstain.

— Ambrose Bierce

Who never doubted, never half believed. Where doubt is, there truth is - it is her shadow.

— Ambrose Bierce

Wit - the salt with which the American humorist spoils his intellectual cookery by leaving it out.

— Ambrose Bierce

Women and foxes being weak are distinguished by superior tact.

— Ambrose Bierce

Women in love are less ashamed than men. They have less to be ashamed of.

— Ambrose Bierce

You are not permitted to kill a woman who has wronged you, but nothing forbids you to reflect that she is growing older every minute.

— Ambrose Bierce

You don't have to be stupid to be a Christian, ... but it probably helps.

— Ambrose Bierce