An absolute monarchy is one in which the sovereign does as he pleases so long as he pleases the assassins.
Ambrose BiercePALM, n. A species of tree . . . of which the familiar "itching palm" ("Palma hominis") is most widely distributed . . . . This noble vegetable exudes a kind of invisible gum, which may be detected by applying to the bark a piece of gold or silver.
Ambrose Bierce