The Devil's Dictionary: Roads Classics: Roads Classics

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History, n. an account mostly false, of events mostly unimportant, which are brought about by rulers mostly knaves, and soldiers mostly fools. Marriage, n. The state or condition of a community consisting of a master, a mistress, and two slaves, making in all two. Self-Esteem, n. An erroneous appraisement. These caustic aphorisms, collected in The Devil's Dictionary, helped earn Ambrose Bierce the epithets Bitter Bierce, the Devil's Lexicographer, and the Wickedest Man in San Francisco. First published as The Cynic's Word Book (1906) and later reissued under its preferred name in 1911, Bierce's notorious collection of barbed definitions forcibly contradicts Samuel Johnson's earlier definition of a lexicographer as a harmless drudge. There was nothing harmless about Ambrose Bierce, and the words he shaped into verbal pitchforks a century ago--with or without the devil's help--can still draw blood today.

Ambrose Bierce (1842-1914) was an American writer, journalist, and satirist best known for his sharp wit, dark humor, and cynicism. Born in Ohio, he served as a Union soldier during the American Civil War, an experience that profoundly influenced his writing. Bierce is most famous for his collection of short stories, including "An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge," which explores the blurred lines between reality and illusion. His works often delve into themes of war, death, and the human condition, reflecting his deep skepticism and pessimism. Known for his incisive commentary on society, Bierce was also a prolific editor and journalist, contributing to several prominent publications. Though his later years are shrouded in mystery, his literary legacy endures, influencing generations of writers and readers.