# Satan's Modest Refusal of Earthly Monuments explained — Poetry

> Chapter companion for Poetry by Ambrose Bierce.

## What happens

Satan visits the earth and a follower laments that no monuments exist to honor him, unlike the many statues erected for mortal heroes. Satan responds with false modesty, claiming he shuns earthly fame and prefers the humble glory of telling the true stories behind those very pedestals.

## Themes in this chapter

### Deception and Self-Deception

Satan's modest refusal is a deceptive performance, masking his true desire for recognition while claiming to shun fame.

### Hypocrisy and Corruption

Satan's claim to 'humble glory' is hypocritical, as he secretly delights in undermining the monuments of mortal heroes.

## Character check-ins

### Jack Satan

Visits earth and responds to a follower's lament about the lack of monuments to his glory.

## Key lines

> One day when Satan visited the earth In order that his eyes might feed his mirth, A loyal follower in sorrow said, 'Father of Falsehood, to our idols wed We rear memorials in bronze and stone To every kind of mortal greatness known; But not in this thy realm stands anywhere A monument or statue to declare Thy greater glory.'

Satan comes to earth for amusement, and a devoted follower complains that while humans build statues for all kinds of heroes, none exist to honor Satan himself.

_The follower's sorrow highlights the perceived neglect of Satan's achievements compared to mortal heroes._

> With the modest mien Of violet that loves to bloom unseen, Satan replied: 'All earthly fame I shun, Content with consciousness of work well done. Statues to heroes! Mine the humble glory To tell on every pedestal the story.'

Satan responds with false humility, comparing himself to a violet that blooms in secret, claiming he avoids fame and finds satisfaction in his own work, while his true glory lies in revealing the hidden stories behind the statues of heroes.

_Satan's modesty is ironic; he actually takes pride in subverting the reputations of those honored by monuments._

## Links

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