Quote by Ambrose Bierce
OBSESSED, p.p. Vexed by an evil spirit, like the Gadarene swine and other critics. Obsession was once more common than it is now. Arasthus tells of a peasant who was occupied by a different devil for every day in the week, and on Sundays by two. They were frequently seen, always walking in his shadow, when he had one, but were finally driven away by the village notary, a holy man; but they took the peasant with them, for he vanished utterly. A devil thrown out of a woman by the Archbishop of Rheims ran through the trees, pursued by a hundred persons, until the open country was reached, where by a leap higher than a church spire he escaped into a bird. A chaplain in Cromwell's army exorcised a soldier's obsessing devil by throwing the soldier into the water, when the devil came to the surface. The soldier, unfortunately, did not.
Summary
This quote satirically explores the concept of obsession, comparing it to being haunted by evil spirits. The author highlights the historical belief in demonic possession, showcasing various tales of individuals plagued by multiple devils and being freed from them through religious intervention. The cynicism of the quote is evident in how the so-called exorcisms often resulted in the demon's escape or the demise of the afflicted individual. This brief explanation emphasizes the ironic tone and challenges the notion of obsession as a supernatural affliction, rather than a psychological or human experience.