HADES, n. The lower world the residence of departed spirits the place where the dead live. Among the ancients the idea of Hades was not synonymous with our Hell, many of the most respectable men of antiquity residing there in a very comfortable kind of way. Indeed, the Elysian Fields themselves were a part of Hades, though they have since been removed to Paris. When the Jacobean version of the New Testament was in process of evolution the pious and learned men engaged in the work insisted by a majority vote on translating the Greek word Aides as Hell but a conscientious minority member secretly possessed himself of the record and struck out the objectional word wherever he could find it. At the next meeting, the Bishop of Salisbury, looking over the work, suddenly sprang to his feet and said with considerable excitement Gentlemen, somebody has been razing 'Hell' here Years afterward the good prelate's death was made sweet by the reflection that he had been the means (under Providence) of making an important, serviceable and immortal addition to the phraseology of the English tongue.
More Quotes from Ambrose Gwinett Bierce:
MAGDALENE, n. An inhabitant of Magdala. Popularly, a woman found out. This definition of the word has the authority of ignorance, Mary of Magdala being another person than the penitent woman mentioned by St. Luke. It has also the official sanction of the governments of Great Britain and the United States. In England the word is pronounced Maudlin, whence maudlin, adjective, unpleasantly sentimental. With their Maudlin for Magdalene, and their Bedlam for Bethlehem, the English may justly boast themselves the greatest of revisers.Ambrose Gwinett Bierce
GRAPESHOT, n. An argument which the future is preparing in answer to the demands of American Socialism.
Ambrose Gwinett Bierce
ADAMANT, n. A mineral frequently found beneath a corset. Soluble in solicitate of gold.
Ambrose Gwinett Bierce
KORAN, n. A book which the Mohammedans foolishly believe to have been written by divine inspiration, but which Christians know to be a wicked imposture, contradictory to the Holy Scriptures.
Ambrose Gwinett Bierce
X in our alphabet being a needless letter has an added invincibility to the attacks of the spelling reformers, and like them, will doubtless last as long as the language. X is the sacred symbol of ten dollars, and in such words as Xmas, Xn, etc., stands f
Ambrose Gwinett Bierce
RAPACITY, n. Providence without industry. The thrift of power.
Ambrose Gwinett Bierce
Readers Who Like This Quotation Also Like:
Based on Topics: Contemplation Quotes, Death & Dying Quotes, English Quotes, Evolution Quotes, Hell Quotes, Idea Quotes, Majority & Minority Quotes, Man Quotes, Place Quotes, Work & Career QuotesBased on Keywords: elysian, hades, jacobean, phraseology, prelates, razing, salisbury
Baseball is like driving, it's the one who gets home safely that counts.
Tommy Lasorda
I have always depended on the kindness of strangers.
Tennessee Williams
I'm very fond of piano players.
Michael Parkinson