The Devil's Dictionary
by Ambrose Bierce
Find a specific dictionary entry by clicking on the letters below.
Navigate the site by clicking on the buttons at the bottom of the page.
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
"V"

VALOR, n. A soldierly compound of vanity, duty and the gambler's hope. "Why have you halted?" roared the commander of a division at Chickamauga, who had ordered a charge; "move forward, sir, at once." "General," said the commander of the delinquent brigade, "I am persuaded that any further display of valor by my troops will bring them into collision with the enemy."

VANITY, n. The tribute of a fool to the worth of the nearest ass.

They say that hens do cackle loudest when
There's nothing vital in the eggs they've laid;
And there are hens, professing to have made
A study of mankind, who say that men
Whose business 'tis to drive the tongue or pen
Make the most clamorous fanfaronade
O'er their most worthless work; and I'm afraid
They're not entirely different from the hen.
Lo! the drum-major in his coat of gold,
His blazing breeches and high-towering cap -
Imperiously pompous, grandly bold,
Grim, resolute, an awe-inspiring chap!
Who'd think this gorgeous creature's only virtue
Is that in battle he will never hurt you?
Hannibal Hunsiker

VIRTUES, n.pl. Certain abstentions.

VITUPERATION, n. Saite, as understood by dunces and all such as suffer from an impediment in their wit.

VOTE, n. The instrument and symbol of a freeman's power to make a fool of himself and a wreck of his country.


This button takes you back to Letter "U" of The Devil's Dictionary.

This button takes you to the Ambrose Bierce biography page.
This button takes you to Rick's Civil War Poetry Home Page.

This button takes you forward to Letter "W" of The Devil's Dictionary.

e-mail webmaster Rick Hearn "Wonderful Things" Web Page Design - © All rights reserved.