Ambrose Bierce: Debt Slavedriver

Meaning of Ambrose Bierce Money Quote: saying debt is nearly the same as the punishment of a mean and angry slavedriver. Ambrose Bierce said:

 

 

“Debt is an ingenious substitute for the chain and whip of the slavedriver” — Ambrose Bierce

In this quote, Ambrose Bierce is sharply criticizing debt as a form of control and coercion over people. By likening debt to “the chain and whip of the slavedriver”, Bierce suggests that being deeply indebted functions similarly to enslavement by forcing people into servitude out of desperation to pay what they owe.

His view is that debt traps people in ongoing financial obligations that deprive them of true freedom, much like physical chains and whips would. Bierce portrays debt as a modern “substitute” for overt slavery that still oppressively binds people to the demands of creditors. The quote presents debt in a very negative light, as a means for others to indirectly dominate debtors through economic rather than physical compulsion.

Overall, Ambrose Bierce is condemning debt as another form of servitude that lacks the overt cruelty of slavery but achieves similar effects of power over those who are financially shackled by what they owe.

Birthday: June 24, 1842 – Disappeared: c. 1914

Ambrose Bierce: Philanthropist Grin

Ambrose Bierce Money Quote saying that bald old rich guys who smile oddly while charities are as good as pickpockets. Ambrose Bierce said:
 

“Philanthropist. A rich (and usually bald) old gentleman who has trained himself to grin while his conscience is picking his pocket…” — Ambrose Bierce

In this quote, Ambrose Bierce is taking a cynical view of philanthropists. By describing a philanthropist as a “rich old gentleman” who has trained himself to “grin” or smile while his “conscience is picking his pocket”, Bierce suggests that some philanthropic acts are not truly altruistic or done out of genuine care for others in need.

He implies that for some philanthropists, donating to charitable causes is a way to ease their conscience about accumulating wealth, while also providing further tax breaks or positive publicity. So in essence, Bierce is accusing certain philanthropists of using donations as a way to feel better about themselves and their wealth, rather than coming from pure, selfless motivations to help the less fortunate.

The quote portrays philanthropy in a critical light as potentially serving the interests of donors’ egos and finances rather than strictly benefiting recipients.

Birthday: June 24, 1842 – Disappeared: c. 1914

Ambrose Bierce: Money Pretenses

Ambrose Bierce Money Quote saying in ‘Devil’s Dictionary’ that divination by reading wrinkles in the hand is criminal. Ambrose Bierce said:

“PALMISTRY, n. The 947th method of obtaining money by false pretences” — Ambrose Bierce

In this definition, Ambrose Bierce is satirically criticizing palmistry, or palm reading, as a way to mislead people out of their money through deceitful claims. By describing it as the “947th method of obtaining money by false pretences”, Bierce implies that palmistry is just one of many cons used to separate people from their cash on untrue promises.

He suggests that palm readers falsely present their abilities as real in order to financially profit from clients seeking insights, even though palmistry has no legitimate validity.

So in essence, Bierce is accusing the practice of palmistry as a form of fraud, where readers misrepresent their skills to trick people into paying for readings that have no factual basis. The definition portrays palmistry as essentially a dishonest scam to dupe customers rather than an authentic predictive art.

Birthday: June 24, 1842 – Disappeared: c. 1914

Ambrose Bierce: Acquaintance Poor or Rich

Ambrose Bierce Money Quote saying measure of friendship based on income of person you know, rather than how much they mean to you. Ambrose Bierce said:
 

 

“Acquaintance: a degree of friendship called slight when its object is poor or obscure, and intimate when he is rich or famous” — Ambrose Bierce

In this quote, Ambrose Bierce is satirically commenting on how some view acquaintances based on their wealth or status. By describing an acquaintance as a “slight” friendship when the person is “poor or obscure”, but an “intimate” friendship when they are “rich or famous”, Bierce suggests that for some people the depth of acquaintances is determined more by the other person’s socioeconomic position rather than the actual closeness of the relationship.

He implies that those with less wealth or prominence are considered only slightly known, while the rich and famous may be thought of as closer friends regardless of the true nature of the acquaintance. So in essence, the quote portrays how superficial some view friendships based primarily on external factors like money and status, rather than the substance and history of the acquaintance itself.

Birthday: June 24, 1842 – Disappeared: c. 1914

Ambrose Bierce: Debtors Forgetfulness Gift

Ambrose Bierce Money Quote saying the ability to forget payment of debts is a gift from the creator to compensate them for lack of conscience. Ambrose Bierce said:
 

 

“Forgetfulness. A gift of God bestowed upon debtors in compensation for their destitution of conscience” — Ambrose Bierce

In this quote, Ambrose Bierce is making a cynical commentary on forgetfulness and its relationship to debt. By calling forgetfulness a “gift of God” that compensates for the “destitution of conscience” of debtors, Bierce suggests that debtors who lack remorse or guilt about owing money are instead given the “gift” of being able to forget or ignore their debts.

He implies that rather than feel bad about debt, some choose to simply forget and not properly address their financial obligations. So in essence, the quote portrays forgetfulness as a way for debtors who lack a moral conscience about debt burdens to mentally escape or evade their responsibilities, rather than truly resolving their debts in a principled way.

Bierce presents this notion in a critical manner that casts forgetfulness as an unethical substitution for atoning for one’s financial obligations.

Birthday: June 24, 1842 – Disappeared: c. 1914

Ambrose Bierce: Mammon Leading God

Ambrose Bierce Money Quote: Dictionary entry has Mammon as the current top God of World’s religions by popularity. Ambrose Bierce said:
 

 

“Mammon, n.: The god of the world’s leading religion” — Ambrose Bierce

In this definition, Ambrose Bierce is satirically suggesting that the true “god” or driving force of the predominant world religion is mammon, which is commonly defined as wealth, money or material gain. By directly equating mammon with the god of the “world’s leading religion”, Bierce is criticizing how much prominence he feels is given to financial success, possessions and wealth accumulation even within religious doctrines and institutions.

His definition implies that the pursuit of prosperity and riches has in practice become prioritized over spiritual values for many. So in essence, Bierce is accusing the dominant faith of largely serving the idolatry of wealth through how it is often practiced, rather than purely upholding principles of faith, charity and humility as taught by religious texts. The definition characterizes mammon as the real object of worship for much of society in a critical tongue-in-cheek way.

Birthday: June 24, 1842 – Disappeared: c. 1914

Ambrose Bierce on Drafting Plans

Ambrose Bierce Money Quotation saying a draftsman is someone who is architecting a plan for someone else’s cash. Ambrose Bierce said:
 

 

“Architect. One who drafts a plan of your house, and plans a draft of your money” — Ambrose Bierce

In this quote, Ambrose Bierce is satirically criticizing architects through a play on words. When he says an architect is one who “drafts a plan of your house, and plans a draft of your money”, Bierce is making a tongue-in-cheek suggestion that architects are more focused on the latter part of this definition – devising ways to drain the finances of their clients through the building projects.

His quote implies that architects may prioritize creating elaborate designs and blueprints that drive up costs, rather than reasonably budgeting their clients’ funds. So in typical droll fashion, Bierce is accusing architects of being more concerned with how to maximize profits from construction projects than truly addressing their clients’ needs affordably. He portrays them as cleverly “planning a draft” or depletion of money through their work.

Birthday: June 24, 1842 – Disappeared: c. 1914

Ambrose Bierce: Money & Love

Funny Money Quotes: Are you willing to ask the most personal of favors – borrowing – from good friends and family or would your prefer a cranky banker? Ambrose Bierce said:
 

 

“Acquaintance, n.: A person whom we know well enough to borrow from, but not well enough to lend to” — Ambrose Bierce

In this quote, Ambrose Bierce is once again satirizing how some view acquaintances and relationships. By describing an acquaintance as someone you know well enough “to borrow from, but not well enough to lend to”, Bierce suggests that for some people, acquaintances are useful primarily based on how they can benefit financially from the relationship rather than genuine friendship.

The quote implies that certain acquaintances are seen as people you can ask favors of, like borrowing money, but not people close enough to trust with lending you money in return.

So Ambrose Bierce is criticizing a transactional view of acquaintances where the relationship status depends on opportunities for personal gain rather than mutual care, trust or respect between both parties. He portrays acquaintances for these types of people as defined by self-interest over true friendship.

Birthday: June 24, 1842 – Disappeared: c. 1914