Alliance - in international politics, the union of two thieves who have their hands so deeply inserted in each other's pockets that they cannot separately plunder a third.

Summary

This quote by Ambrose Bierce humorously characterizes alliances in international politics as partnerships between two corrupt entities. It suggests that by joining forces, these dubious actors can intensify their actions and exploit others more effectively by collectively exerting power. The quote cynically implies that alliances may arise not out of genuine shared interests or values, but rather from self-serving motives to secure mutual benefits at the expense of others. It sheds light on the sometimes opportunistic nature of alliances and cynically highlights the potential for exploitation within these arrangements.

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