The Devil’s Dictionary

The Devil’s Dictionary by Ambrose Bierce, first published in 1906 under the title The Cynic’s Wordbook, is a satirical and often darkly humorous collection of definitions that skewers human nature, society, politics, and the English language itself. Known for its sharp wit, biting sarcasm, and mordant commentary on the absurdities of life, this book is a masterful example of Bierce’s talent for irony and his unique brand of cynicism.The dictionary offers sardonic and humorous redefinitions of common words, turning conventional meanings on their head and exposing the contradictions, hypocrisies, and foibles of the human condition. Bierce’s definitions are not only funny but often contain sharp social critiques, attacking the vanity, self-deception, and moral shortcomings of individuals and institutions.

For example, in The Devil’s Dictionary, the word "love" is redefined as "a temporary insanity curable by marriage," while "war" is humorously defined as "a game in which each side tries to kill as many of the other side as possible, while at the same time convincing the public that their side is fighting for a noble cause." These witty, often caustic definitions reveal Bierce’s deep skepticism toward idealism, authority, and human nature.