SATAN, n. One of the Creator's lamentable mistakes, repented in sashcloth and axes. Being instated as an archangel, Satan made himself multifariously objectionable and was finally expelled from Heaven. Halfway in his descent he paused, bent his head in thought a moment and at last went back. "There is one favor that I should like to ask," said he.
"Name it."
"Man, I understand, is about to be created. He will need laws."
"What, wretch! you his appointed adversary, charged from the dawn of eternity with hatred of his soul — you ask for the right to make his laws?"
"Pardon; what I have to ask is that he be permitted to make them himself."
It was so ordered.
2010 Update: The infernal dedicatee of Ambrose Bierce's dictionary, and reference books in general.
Happy Ides of March - was that Satan's birthday?
ReplyDeleteSatan ~ an invention of the catholic church to make God look better
ReplyDeleteThat explains it...but how do you explain Wall Street?
ReplyDeleteOn further reading...I think I do understand, but would like your take on it.
Considering all don't you think we've done quite well for ourselves? :) :)
ReplyDelete..
SATAN, n. the darkness in my own soul which longs for chocolate and unsavory pursuits like blogging as opposed to housekeeping, and scorns whole meals and activities, especially those involving exercise.
ReplyDeletequilly--if your definition defines Satan we're all in deep trouble
ReplyDeleteNow Bierce's definition is positively brilliant, and Doug's was too clever for his own good--I'm so slow it took me a good 30 seconds to get it
as good an excuse
ReplyDeleteas any
the devil made me do it
could as easy say
it was gods' will
peace & blessings
satan: My new BFF.
ReplyDeleteSatan: that part of ourselves that we like to blame for our own evil thoughts and deeds.
ReplyDeleteSatan: can't be all that bad - it brought indie back.
ReplyDeleteSatan, the wolf I am not supposed to feed but gosh, it practically lives on ANYTHING.
ReplyDeleteas stated above
ReplyDeleteeven with our best
thoughts
crap can seep in
hey found a nice place in the east
..........................................................................do not wish ..disturd...peace
why, by golly, Indie, it's good to hear from you. Apparently, the Ides of March is when ghosts roam.
ReplyDeleteThat was clever, Nicole. Devilishly so.
Mo'a, it was named for the defensive wall which used to run there.
Suspiciously so, Jim.
Actonbell, she went hippy is how I hear it.
Quilly, you're probably thinking of "stomach." People confuse nourishment with the Devil all the time.
Pia, I was going for a 20 second gag but got off to a slow start.
That's a subtle point, Bear. You must have been just the right amount sober.
Sauerkraut, to the best of my knowledge, the Devil has a whole heart.
Not that new, I wouldn't think, Poobah.
TLP, I prefer to blame my blogmother for raising me poorly.
That's what I'm saying, Cooper. That must have been some black sabbath.
Hahaha, Ariel. She who keeps the devil has a friend forever.
A nice place in the East, Bear? Not Sacramento, I hope.
I did so too not.
ReplyDeleteNo you did not so did.
ReplyDeleteAmbrose Bierce was a genius.
ReplyDeleteAnd people think the Master has no sense of humor.
ReplyDelete