“If you want to read a perfect book there is only one way: write it.”

— Ambrose Bierce, Epigrams, The Collected Works of Ambrose Bierce, vol. 8, 1911

About Ambrose Bierce

Born 1842

American satirist and journalist, author of "The Devil's Dictionary".

“Perseverance, n. A lowly virtue whereby mediocrity achieves an inglorious success.”

“When prosperous the fool trembles for the evil that is to come; in adversity the philosopher smiles for the good that he has had.”

“The gambling known as business looks with austere disfavor upon the business known as gambling.”

“For the things we have to learn before we can do, we learn by doing.”

“Eating and reading are two pleasures that combine admirably.”

“Isn't it a pleasure to study and practice what you have learned?”

“The end then of learning is to repair the ruins of our first parents.”

“One must learn to know oneself before knowing anything else.”

“And how do you teach thou shalt not kill? By killing.”