"Absence makes the heart grow fonder but I prefer the heart other than fond."
The quote suggests a disdain for emotional attachment that has been physically separated, or absence. Instead, the speaker expresses a preference for a heart unaffected by such strong sentiments as "fondness." It implies a desire for independence and self-reliance, possibly stemming from past experiences where separation intensified feelings of longing or affection.
"Love, like a hellhound, always returns to its vomit."
This quote by Ambrose Bierce suggests that love, much like a relentless and tenacious hound, has a tendency to recur to past experiences, even when those experiences may be unpleasant or regrettable (i.e., "vomit"). In other words, the idea is that individuals who have felt deep affection for someone in the past might find themselves drawn back to them, regardless of any negative consequences that may have occurred before. This quote serves as a cautionary reminder about the potential dangers and folly of repeating past mistakes in matters of the heart.
"Fate is a cruel mistress when she turns her attention from the loved to the lover."
This quote by Ambrose Bierce implies that when fortune or destiny favors someone (the loved one), it can cruelly turn its attention towards those who are attached to them (the lovers). In other words, misfortune or disappointment can strike the lover when the beloved experiences favorable circumstances. The idea is to suggest that fate, in its indiscriminate nature, can bring both joy and sorrow to different individuals, often in an unfair or seemingly cruel manner.
"War is God's way of teaching Americans geography."
This quote by Ambrose Bierce humorously suggests that America's involvement in wars has a significant impact on its understanding of geography, as it often leads them to learn about distant lands they may have been unfamiliar with before. In essence, war can serve as an unconventional means of education about the world.
"A cynic knows the price of everything and the value of nothing."
This quote suggests that a cynic is someone who understands the cost or effort required for things, but lacks the ability to appreciate their inherent worth or significance. They may perceive everything in terms of its monetary or practical value, but fail to see intangible aspects such as beauty, emotion, or meaning. Essentially, a cynic's skepticism and worldview can lead them to undervalue things that are priceless.
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