Bierce, Ambrose -- “Admirability,” The Cynic’s Word Book (1906)

Dave — Tue, 24 Oct 2023 19:15:13 +0000

ADMIRABILITY, n. My kind of ability, as distinguished from your kind of ability.

Ambrose Bierce (1842–1914?) American writer and journalist
“Admirability,” The Cynic’s Word Book (1906)

Not included in The Devil's Dictionary (1911). Originally published in the "Devil's Dictionary" column in the San Francisco Wasp (1881-05-12)

Cicero, Marcus Tullius -- Tusculan Disputations [Tusculanae Disputationes], Book 1, ch. 45 (1.45) / sec. 109 (45 BC) [tr. Douglas (1985)]

Dave — Thu, 16 Dec 2021 17:52:05 +0000

Even if glory has nothing in itself to justify seeking it, yet it follows virtue like a shadow.

[Etsi enim nihil habet in se gloria cur expetatur, tamen virtutem tamquam umbra sequitur.]

Marcus Tullius Cicero (106–43 BC) Roman orator, statesman, philosopher
Tusculan Disputations [Tusculanae Disputationes], Book 1, ch. 45 (1.45) / sec. 109 (45 BC) [tr. Douglas (1985)]

(Source (Latin)). Other translations:

For though Glory have nothing in it self, why it should be pursu'd, yet it follows Vertue as its shadow.
[tr. Wase (1643)]

For although there be nothing in glory to make it desirable, yet it follows virtue like a shadow.
[tr. Main (1824)]

Glory follows virtue as it it were its shadow.
[Source (1826)]

For even if glory contain nothing for which it is desirable of itself, yet it follows as the shadow of virtue.
[tr. Otis (1839)]

For although there be nothing in glory to make it desirable, yet it follows virtue as its shadow.
[tr. Yonge (1853)]

Though as to fame, there is nothing in it that should make it an object of desire; but it follows virtue like its shadow.
[tr. Peabody (1886)]

Glory, though it have in itself nothing for which we should desire it, attends virtue like its shadow.
[tr. Black (1889)]

Although glory is not to be sought for its own sake, it follows virtue like a shadow.
[tr. Habinek (1996)]

Even if glory has nothing in it to justify our seeking it, yet it follows virtue like a shadow.
[tr. Davie (2017)]

Twain, Mark -- The Innocents Abroad, ch. 23 (1869)

Dave — Sun, 01 Feb 2004 16:00:00 +0000

Virtue has never been as respectable as money.

Mark Twain (1835–1910) American writer [pseud. of Samuel Clemens]
The Innocents Abroad, ch. 23 (1869)

WIST Quotations

Bierce, Ambrose -- “Admirability,” The Cynic’s Word Book (1906)

Cicero, Marcus Tullius -- Tusculan Disputations [Tusculanae Disputationes], Book 1, ch. 45 (1.45) / sec. 109 (45 BC) [tr. Douglas (1985)]

Twain, Mark -- The Innocents Abroad, ch. 23 (1869)