Aphorisms Galore!

Altruism and Cynicism

173 aphorisms  ·  15 comments

Aphorisms in This Category

tiny.ag/fmchbiz9  ·   Fair (387 ratings)  ·  submitted 1997

The statistics on sanity are that one out of every four Americans is suffering from some form of mental illness. Think of your three best friends. If they're okay, then it's you.

Rita Mae Brown, in Altruism and Cynicism

tiny.ag/ahfxksue  ·   Fair (331 ratings)  ·  submitted 1997

You can't be truly rude until you understand good manners.

Rita Mae Brown, in Altruism and Cynicism

tiny.ag/43mefad8  ·   Fair (157 ratings)  ·  submitted 1997

All government -- indeed, every human benefit and enjoyment, every virtue and every prudent act -- is founded on compromise and barter.

Edmund Burke, in Altruism and Cynicism

tiny.ag/pbhm4rie  ·   Fair (396 ratings)  ·  submitted 1997

Man is the only animal that can remain on friendly terms with the victims he intends to eat until he eats them.

Samuel Butler, in Altruism and Cynicism

tiny.ag/lgolcdhe  ·   Fair (147 ratings)  ·  submitted 1997

Getting caught is the mother of invention.

Robert Byrne, in Altruism and Cynicism

tiny.ag/vr4hxjva  ·   Fair (1237 ratings)  ·  submitted 1997

The Devil's Dictionary (paperback)

Egoist: A person of low taste, more interested in themselves than in me.

Ambrose Bierce, The Devil's Dictionary, in Altruism and Cynicism

tiny.ag/dxvyak3f  ·   Fair (922 ratings)  ·  submitted 1997

The Devil's Dictionary (paperback)

Eulogy: Praise of a person who has either the advantages of wealth and power, or the consideration to be dead.

Ambrose Bierce, The Devil's Dictionary, in Altruism and Cynicism

tiny.ag/dzggn7ah  ·   Fair (916 ratings)  ·  submitted 1997

The Devil's Dictionary (paperback)

Politeness: The most acceptable hypocrisy.

Ambrose Bierce, The Devil's Dictionary, in Altruism and Cynicism

tiny.ag/ixcdrxvs  ·   Fair (249 ratings)  ·  submitted 1997

The covers of this book are too far apart.

Ambrose Bierce, in Altruism and Cynicism

tiny.ag/oswh8aui  ·   Fair (231 ratings)  ·  submitted 1997

The only normal people are the ones you don't know very well.

Joe Ancis, in Altruism and Cynicism

tiny.ag/eh4xjmzt  ·   Fair (188 ratings)  ·  submitted 1997

Love thy neighbor as thyself, but choose your neighborhood.

Louise Beal, in Altruism and Cynicism

tiny.ag/ojk8xbtj  ·   Fair (981 ratings)  ·  submitted 1997

The Devil's Dictionary (paperback)

Bigot: One who is obstinately and zealously attached to an opinion that you do not entertain.

Ambrose Bierce, The Devil's Dictionary, in Altruism and Cynicism

tiny.ag/khsvt6in  ·   Fair (319 ratings)  ·  submitted 1997

It is easier to fight for one's principles than to live up to them.

Alfred Adler, in Altruism and Cynicism

tiny.ag/j6nzwwaa  ·   Fair (223 ratings)  ·  submitted 1997

There's a fine line between participation and mockery.

Scott Adams, in Altruism and Cynicism

tiny.ag/ywjorl1b  ·   Fair (394 ratings)  ·  submitted 1997

When the government fears the people, we have liberty. When the people fear the government, we have tyranny.

Unknown, in Altruism and Cynicism and Law and Politics

tiny.ag/ceh5zfoy  ·   Fair (249 ratings)  ·  submitted 1997

There are two reasons for doing something: a really good reason and the real reason.

Unknown, in Altruism and Cynicism

tiny.ag/l9jtfiar  ·   Fair (249 ratings)  ·  submitted 1997

To err is human, to blame the next guy even more so.

Unknown, in Altruism and Cynicism

tiny.ag/zm6nq4mh  ·   Fair (257 ratings)  ·  submitted 1997

We should forgive our enemies, but only after they've been taken out and shot.

Unknown, in Altruism and Cynicism

tiny.ag/u1yhdeyw  ·   Fair (819 ratings)  ·  submitted 1999

Trust everybody, but cut the cards.

Unknown, in Altruism and Cynicism

tiny.ag/donivp2q  ·   Fair (221 ratings)  ·  submitted 1997

Tact is the ability to tell a man he has an open mind when he has a hole in his head.

Unknown, in Altruism and Cynicism