Redefining misanthropy for a fresh generation. Standard posts begin with a definition from Ambrose Bierce's The Devil's Dictionary followed by a modern adjustment. Miscellany on Wednesday and storytelling on Saturday.
Saturday, May 07, 2005
Advice
Advice, n. The smallest current coin.
2005 Update: The manner by which the idle share their wealth.
I agree, Karma. and incidentally, you should really quit smoking cigarettes. They were actually invented for the purpose of distracting colonized people in order to deaden their sense of injustice while protecting their ambition. Did you know that? I did.
Consider this: the coin advice is wealth for which there's no set price. To give it, you must think it worth more than the gold stockpiled on earth; and yet, when handed it in trade, one tends to think a joke's been played. And so its value fluctuates, given by saints, to mere ingrates, who would prefer more solid food, but dare not ask, lest be thought rude. For good advice, so hard to find, is rarely worth its weight in kind, and thought it's offered graciously, I rather it not come to me.
Mace, you might want to add a pack ;) John, that's spectacular.
Kines, I'm not sure. In my experience there's good advice and bad advice and the only way to distinguish them is after the inevitable catastrophe falls, the good advice is the suggestion you must have misunderstood.
How about this? Wisdom from the unwise dispensed as knowledge to the unknowing.
ReplyDeleteAs every mermaid of suspect virtue should. Thank you for your kind words.
ReplyDeleteBill, how about I just toss you the keys :) Very good.
ReplyDeleteuntimely words counsel from your friendly neighbourhood underpaid know it all consultant.
ReplyDeleteWelcome to my friendly neighborhood, know-it-all.
ReplyDeleteGreat entry, Doug! And truer words have never been spoken.
ReplyDeleteOh, and thank you SOOOO much for the help. It is appreciated more than you know.
Mace, you earned it.
ReplyDeleteLivinglikekings, thanks!
ahh, noblesse oblige ... i hate it when it is unsolicited. everyone becomes an expert
ReplyDeleteI agree, Karma. and incidentally, you should really quit smoking cigarettes. They were actually invented for the purpose of distracting colonized people in order to deaden their sense of injustice while protecting their ambition. Did you know that? I did.
ReplyDeleteI actually use my cigarettes to dull my sense of righteous indignation. :-D
ReplyDeleteConsider this: the coin advice
ReplyDeleteis wealth for which there's no set price.
To give it, you must think it worth
more than the gold stockpiled on earth;
and yet, when handed it in trade,
one tends to think a joke's been played.
And so its value fluctuates,
given by saints, to mere ingrates,
who would prefer more solid food,
but dare not ask, lest be thought rude.
For good advice, so hard to find,
is rarely worth its weight in kind,
and thought it's offered graciously,
I rather it not come to me.
Hm. I disagree with the "idle share their wealth" part. It's more like "what everyone can use". Wouldn't you rather have advice rather than none?
ReplyDeleteMace, you might want to add a pack ;)
ReplyDeleteJohn, that's spectacular.
Kines, I'm not sure. In my experience there's good advice and bad advice and the only way to distinguish them is after the inevitable catastrophe falls, the good advice is the suggestion you must have misunderstood.
Nice blog! Will be back
ReplyDeletegreat blog - will return!
ReplyDeleteAnd love this entry!
Thaleia and Kate, you snuck past me. Thank you for your kindness.
ReplyDelete