The Devil's Dictionary

by Steven Kotler

Born in Ohio in 1842, journalist, short-story writer and critic Ambrose Bierce developed into one of this country's most celebrated and cynical wits--a merciless "American Swift" whose literary barbs were aimed at folly, self-delusion, politics, business, religion, literature and the arts. In this splendid "dictionary" of epigrams, essays, verses and vignettes, you'll find over 1,000 pointed definitions, e.g. Congratulation ("The civility of envy"), Coward ("One who in a perilous emergency thinks with his legs") and Historian ("A broad-gauge gossip"). Anyone who likes to laugh will love The Devil's Dictionary. Anyone looking for a bon mot to enliven their next speech, paper or conversation will have a field day thumbing through what H. L. Mencken called "some of the most gorgeous witticisms in the English language." true philosopher;jason zweig;emperor marcus;hays translation;stoic philosophers;philosophical wisdom;philosopher king;gregory hays;maxwell staniforth;universal consciousness;timeless advice;virtuous life;universal nature;thou dost;practical philosophy;stoic philosophy;cynical humor;accessible translation;thou hast;public affairs;financial industry;roman emperors;thou wilt;world leader;comprehensive introduction;thou art;modern translation;modern library;human affairs;ancient roman;meaningful life;penguin classics;dark sense;roman history;bill clinton;self help;literary device;ancient rome;biting wit;happy life;mark twain;roman empire;life changing;life lessons;english language;common sense;human nature;antoninus;121-180;philosopher-king;mediations;epictetus;cramping;stoics;thyself;maxims;logos;seneca;equanimity;aphorisms;stoicism;gladiator;cynic;thee;plato;roads;definitions;translations;tribe;mexico;ohio;books on virtuous lives;books on comprehensive introductions;books on thou arts;books on universal natures;books on public affairs;books on stoic philosophies;books on modern libraries;books on human affairs;books on philosopher kings;books on modern translations;books on philosophical wisdoms;books on financial industries;books on ancient romen;books on true philosophers;books on emperor marcus;books on roman emperors;books on practical philosophies;books on penguin classics;books on world leaders;books on universal consciousnesses;books on timeless advices

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About the author

Steven Kotler is a New York Times bestselling author, award-winning journalist, and co-founder and director of research for the Flow Genome Project. His books include the non-fiction works "The Rise of Superman," "Abundance," "A Small Furry Prayer" "West of Jesus," and the novel "The Angle Quickest for Flight." His work has been translated into more than 30 languages. His articles have appeared in over 60 publications, including The New York Times Magazine, The Atlantic Monthly, Wired, GQ, Outside, Popular Science, Men's Journal and Discover.

He also writes "Far Frontiers," a blog about technology and innovation for Forbes.com and "The Playing Field," a blog about the science of sport and culture for PsychologyToday.com.

He lives in New Mexico with his wife, the author Joy Nicholson.