PERORATION, n. The explosion of an oratorical rocket. It dazzles, but to an observer having the wrong kind of nose its most conspicuous peculiarity is the smell of the several kinds of powder used in preparing it.

Ambrose Bierce

Ambrose Bierce

Dazzles Explosion Kind Nose Observer Oratorical Peroration Rocket Wrong

Related Quotes

ALLEGIANCE, n.This thing Allegiance, as I suppose, Is a ring fitted in the subject's nose, Whereby that organ is kept rightly pointed To smell the sweetness of the Lord's anointed. --G.J.

— Ambrose Bierce

AllegianceFittedNose

BOTTLE-NOSED, adj. Having a nose created in the image of its maker.

— Ambrose Bierce

AdjBottleCreated

RESPIRATOR, n. An apparatus fitted over the nose and mouth of an inhabitant of London, whereby to filter the visible universe in its passage to the lungs.

— Ambrose Bierce

ApparatusFilterFitted

Learning, n. The kind of ignorance distinguishing the studious.

— Ambrose Bierce

DistinguishingIgnoranceKind

ENCOMIAST, n. A special (but not particular) kind of liar.

— Ambrose Bierce