“The only distinction that democracies reward is a high degree of conformity.”

— 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.”

“He is a wise man who does not grieve for the things which he has not, but rejoices for those which he has.”

Attribution note: Source disputed or unverified.

“Knowing yourself is the beginning of all wisdom.”

Attribution note: Source disputed or unverified.

“Yesterday I was clever, so I wanted to change the world. Today I am wise, so I am changing myself.”

“He who knows others is wise; he who knows himself is enlightened.”

Attribution note: Source disputed or unverified.

“The man who asks a question is a fool for a minute, the man who does not ask is a fool for life.”

“The truth is rarely pure and never simple.”