Related:

• RETALIATION, n. The natural rock upon which is reared the Temple of Law.
  -- Ambrose Bierce, "The Devil's Dictionary...
• RIGHTEOUSNESS, n. A sturdy virtue that was once found among the Pantidoodles inhabiting the lower part of the peninsula of Oque.
  Some feeble attempts were made by returned missionaries to introduce it into several European countries, but it appears to have been imperfectly expounded....
• RESPONSIBILITY, n. A detachable burden easily shifted to the shoulders of God, Fate, Fortune, Luck or one's neighbor.
  In the days of astrology it was customary to unload it upon a star....
• PHYSICIAN, n. One upon whom we set our hopes when ill and our dogs when well.
  -- Ambrose Bierce, "The Devil's Dictionary...
• FORGETFULNESS, n. A gift of God bestowed upon doctors in compensation for their destitution of conscience.
  -- Ambrose Bierce, "The Devil's Dictionary...
• LUMINARY, n. One who throws light upon a subject; as an editor by not writing about it.
  -- Ambrose Bierce, "The Devil's Dictionary...
• OATH, n. In law, a solemn appeal to the Deity, made binding upon the conscience by a penalty for perjury.
  -- Ambrose Bierce, "The Devil's Dictionary...
• CONVENT, n. A place of retirement for woman who wish for leisure to meditate upon the vice of idleness.
  -- Ambrose Bierce, "The Devil's Dictionary...
• CONVERSATION, n. A fair to the display of the minor mental commodities, each exhibitor being too intent upon the arrangement of his own wares to observe those of his neighbor.
  -- Ambrose Bierce, "The Devil's Dictionary...