Quote by Ambrose Bierce

A man is the sum of his ancestors; to reform him you must begin with a dead ape and work downward through a million graves. He is like the lower end of a suspended chain; you can sway him slightly to the right or the left, but remove your hand and he falls into line with the other links.

A man is the sum of his ancestors; to reform him you must be

Summary

This quote emphasizes that an individual's character and behavior are deeply influenced by their lineage and past generations. It suggests that changing or reforming a person requires understanding their ancestral roots and the cumulative impact of their predecessors. The analogy of a suspended chain signifies that while one can momentarily influence a person's direction, their intrinsic nature will ultimately align with their inherited traits and societal norms.

Topics

Work Man Rights Theend

By Ambrose Bierce

Liked the quote? Share it with your friends.

Random Quotations

I definitely think there could be stricter teen driving laws

I definitely think there could be stricter teen driving laws.

Victoria Justice

Teen

You can cry about death and very properly so, your own as we

You can cry about death and very properly so, your own as well as anybody else's. But it's inevitable, so you'd better grapple with it and cope and be aware that not only is it inevitable, but it has always been inevitable, if you see what I mean.

David Attenborough

Death

In England, it's a rare thing to see a player smoking but, a

In England, it's a rare thing to see a player smoking but, all in all, I prefer that to an alcoholic. The relationship with alcohol is a real problem in English football and, in the short term, it's much more harmful to a sportsman. It weakens the body, which becomes more susceptible to injury.

Relationship

I got a Valentine's Day card from my girl. It said, 'Take my

I got a Valentine's Day card from my girl. It said, 'Take my heart! Take my arms! Take my lips!' Which is just like her. Keeping the best part for herself.

Best

I am not superstitious, but I am a little stitious.

I am not superstitious, but I am a little stitious.

Funny The Office

Nothing requires the architect's care more than the due prop

Nothing requires the architect's care more than the due proportions of buildings.

Marcus V. Pollio

Architecture

Sickness, insanity and death were the angels that surrounded

Sickness, insanity and death were the angels that surrounded my cradle and they have followed me throughout my life.

Death

I've been wanting to sing for a long time. I've been singing

I've been wanting to sing for a long time. I've been singing all my life, and I've tried different record companies, but it seemed like - it was such a struggle and so hard to get out there. So, I said, 'I'm gonna go on American Idol and see how far it takes me.

Fantasia Barrino

Life Time Thetimes

The only thing that overcomes hard luck is hard work.

The only thing that overcomes hard luck is hard work.

Work

Did you ever see an unhappy horse? Did you ever see bird tha

Did you ever see an unhappy horse? Did you ever see bird that had the blues? One reason why birds and horses are not unhappy is because they are not trying to impress other birds and horses.

Happiness

For all the concern about bodies and weight, 'Baywatch' has

For all the concern about bodies and weight, 'Baywatch' has three huge catering trucks on the set at all times. One for entrees, one appetizers and one for junk food.

Food

Golf is a game in which you yell 'fore,' shoot six, and writ

Golf is a game in which you yell 'fore,' shoot six, and write down five.

Sports