Quote by Ambrose Bierce

PRAY, v. To ask that the laws of the universe be annulled in behalf of a single petitioner confessedly unworthy.

PRAY, v. To ask that the laws of the universe be annulled in

Summary

This quote by Ambrose Bierce humorously defines prayer as a request for the suspension of universal laws in favor of an undeserving individual. It criticizes the notion of seeking divine intervention for personal gain or when deemed unworthy. Bierce's concise explanation satirically highlights the audacity and self-centeredness sometimes associated with prayers that overlook the fairness and natural order of the universe.

Topics

Prayer Definition

By Ambrose Bierce

Liked the quote? Share it with your friends.

Random Quotations

What is a rebel? A man who says no.

What is a rebel? A man who says no.

Man

The memory of my own suffering has prevented me from ever sh

The memory of my own suffering has prevented me from ever shadowing one young soul with the superstition of the Christian religion.

Elizabeth Cady Stanton

Religion

The signs of outstanding leadership appear primarily among t

The signs of outstanding leadership appear primarily among the followers. Are the followers reaching their potential? Are they learning? Serving? Do they achieve the required results? Do they change with grace? Manage conflict?

Change

Better to remain silent and be thought a fool, than to speak

Better to remain silent and be thought a fool, than to speak and remove all doubt.

Abraham Lincoln

Not only is the Napoleonic dream stronger today in our imagi

Not only is the Napoleonic dream stronger today in our imaginations than it has ever been, but one can already feel the slow falling away of moral opprobrium from our memory of Hitler. In another fifty years we may well find ourselves weighed down by a second monstrous dream of pure grandeur to match that of the Emperor. Two men who dared. Two men who were adored. Two men who led with brilliance. Two men who administered fairly and efficiently. Two men who were modest in their own needs but surrounded by lesser beings who profited from their situation and came between the Hero and the people.

John Ralston Saul, Voltaire

History

That he delights in the misery of others no man will confess

That he delights in the misery of others no man will confess, and yet what other motive can make a father cruel?

Father

Come on, you sons of bitches! Do you want to live forever?

Come on, you sons of bitches! Do you want to live forever?

Military

There is nothing so easy but that it becomes difficult when

There is nothing so easy but that it becomes difficult when you do it reluctantly.

Terence (Publius Terentius Afer)

Difficulty

For two thousand years, the Church has guided the developmen

For two thousand years, the Church has guided the development of music, carefully legislating to fuse artistic talent and aesthetic beauty with the demands of the Faith.

Beauty

Today knowledge has power. It controls access to opportunity

Today knowledge has power. It controls access to opportunity and advancement.

Knowledge

The dullard's envy of brilliant men is always assuaged by th

The dullard's envy of brilliant men is always assuaged by the suspicion that they will come to a bad end.

Greatness & Great Things

Today right here in America we have 50 million people withou

Today right here in America we have 50 million people without health insurance.

Health