REPUBLIC, n. A nation in which, the thing governing and the thing governed being the same, there is only a permitted authority to enforce an optional obedience.
Ambrose BiercePATRIOT, n. One to whom the interests of a part seem superior to those of the whole. The dupe of statesmen and the tool of conquerors.
Ambrose BierceThere would be far fewer accidents if we could only teach telephone poles to be more careful.
Ambrose BierceWAR, n. A by-product of the arts of peace. The most menacing political condition is a period of international amity.
Ambrose Bierce