# A explained — The Devil’s Dictionary

> Chapter companion for The Devil’s Dictionary by Ambrose Bierce.

## What happens

This chapter presents a series of satirical definitions for words beginning with the letter 'A', offering cynical and humorous commentary on human nature, society, politics, religion, and language.

## Themes in this chapter

### Hypocrisy and Duplicity

Many definitions expose hypocrisy in politics, religion, and social interactions, such as 'Administration' and 'Admiration'.

### Critique of Religion

Definitions like 'Allah', 'Altar', and 'Anoint' satirize religious practices and beliefs.

### Politics and Power

Definitions such as 'Administration', 'Allegiance', and 'Alliance' critique political systems and power dynamics.

### Human Folly and Self-Deception

Definitions like 'Ambition', 'Absurdity', and 'Abstainer' highlight human irrationality and self-deception.

## Character check-ins

### Unknown

The narrator presents the definitions with a cynical and detached voice.

### Dr. Samuel Johnson

Referenced in the definitions of 'Abrupt' and 'Abruption' for his commentary on literary ideas.

### Father Gassalasca Jape

Quoted in the definition of 'Admonition' and 'Anoint' as the author of 'Judibras'.

### Death

Referenced in the definition of 'Abracadabra' through the poem by Jamrach Holobom.

### The Shah

Mentioned in the definition of 'Accountability' in a poetic exchange.

### Jim

Appears in the definition of 'Advice' in a poetic dialogue.

### Solomon

Referenced in the definition of 'Abstainer' via the poem by G. J.

### Jijiji Ri

Referenced in the definition of 'Abracadabra' as the author of the poem.

## Key lines

> Administration An ingenious abstraction in politics, designed to receive the kicks and cuffs due to the premier or president. A man of straw, proof against bad-egging and dead-catting.

Administration is a clever political fiction that takes the blame meant for the actual leader, like a scarecrow that can withstand abuse.

_Satirizes how political administrations serve as scapegoats._

> Admiration Our polite recognition of another’s resemblance to ourselves.

Admiration is just a courteous way of acknowledging that someone is like us.

_Critiques the self-centered nature of admiration._

> Admonition Gentle reproof, as with a meat-axe. Friendly warning.

Admonition is a gentle scolding, like being hit with a meat-axe—a supposedly friendly warning.

_Uses irony to highlight the harshness disguised as gentleness._

> Alliance In international politics, the union of two thieves who have their hands so deeply inserted in each other’s pockets that they cannot separately plunder a third.

An alliance is when two thieves are so entangled in each other's pockets that they can't rob anyone else alone.

_Satirizes international alliances as mutual exploitation._

> Ambition An overmastering desire to be vilified by enemies while living and made ridiculous by friends when dead.

Ambition is a strong wish to be criticized by enemies in life and mocked by friends after death.

_Cynically redefines ambition as a path to ridicule._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_devil_s_dictionary_se/chapters/a
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_devil_s_dictionary_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_devil_s_dictionary_se/chapters