Bitter Bierce

Politics: A strife of interests masquerading as a contest of principles. The conduct of public affairs for private advantage.

Positive, adj: Mistaken at the top of one's voice.

Present, n: That part of eternity dividing the domain of disappointment from the realm of hope.

Perseverance: A lowly virtue whereby mediocrity achieves an inglorious success.

Patriotism: Combustible rubbish ready to the torch of anyone ambitious to illuminate his name.

Philosophy: A route of many roads leading from nowhere to nothing.

Just a few entries under the letter P in that sardonic masterpiece The Devil's Dictionary by Ambrose Bierce - 'Bitter Bierce' - who was born on this day in 1842, the tenth of 13 children, on all of whom their father (Marcus Aurelius Bierce) bestowed names beginning with A. In 1913, while travelling with Pancho Villa's army in Mexico, Bierce became one of very few authors to disappear without trace. How we wish there were more...