POLITICS, n. A strife of interests masquerading as a contest of principles. The conduct of public affairs for private advantage.

LABOR, n. One of the processes by which A acquires property for B.

DEBT, n. An ingenious substitute for the chain and whip of the slave- driver.

DAWN, n. The time when men of reason go to bed. Certain old men prefer to rise at about that time, taking a cold bath and a long walk with an empty stomach, and otherwise mortifying the flesh. They then point with pride to these practices as the cause of their sturdy health and ripe years; the truth being that they are hearty and old, not because of their habits, but in spite of them. The reason we find only robust persons doing this thing is that it has killed all the others who have tried it.


~ Ambrose Bierce