The ​Devil's Dictionary 1 csillagozás

Love, n. A temporary insanity curable by marriage or by removal of the patient from the influences under which he incurred the disorder.

Exception, n. A thing which takes the liberty to differ from other things of its class, as an honest man, a truthful woman, etc. „The exception proves the rule” is an expression constantly upon the lips of the ignorant, who parrot it from one another with never a thought of its absurdity. In the Latin, „Exceptio probat regulam” means that the exception tests the rule, puts it to the proof, not confirms it.

Fork, n. A instrument used chiefly for the purpose of putting dead animals into the mouth.

Mouse, n. An animal which strews its path with fainting women.

In each human heart are a tiger, a pig, an ass and a nightingale. Diversity of character is due to their unequal activity.

Peace, n.
In international affairs, a period of cheating between two periods of fighting.

179. oldal

What is worth doing is worth the trouble of asking somebody to do it.

Alliance, n. In international politics, the union of two thieves who have their hands so deeply inserted in each other's pocket that they cannot separately plunder a third.

Deliberation, n. The act of examining one's bread to determine which side it is buttered on.

Dentist, n. A prestidigitator who, putting metal into your mouth, pulls coins out of your pocket.