# D 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 D, including 'Dictator,' 'Dictionary,' 'Die,' 'Digestion,' 'Diplomacy,' 'Disabuse,' 'Discriminate,' 'Discussion,' 'Disobedience,' 'Dissemble,' 'Distance,' 'Distress,' 'Divination,' 'Dog,' 'Dragoon,' 'Dramatist,' 'Druids,' 'Duckbill,' 'Duel,' 'Damn,' 'Dance,' 'Danger,' 'Daring,' 'Datary,' 'Dawn,' 'Day,' 'Dead,' 'Debauchee,' 'Debt,' 'Decalogue,' 'Decide,' 'Defame,' 'Defenceless,' 'Degenerate,' 'Dullard,' and 'Duty.' The entries are laced with irony, cynicism, and wit, often targeting politics, religion, social conventions, and human folly.

## Themes in this chapter

### Hypocrisy and Duplicity

Definitions like 'Diplomacy' ('the patriotic art of lying for one's country') and 'Dissemble' ('to put a clean shirt upon the character') highlight the theme of hypocrisy and duplicity.

### Critique of Religion

The definition of 'Druids' mocks religious practices and church institutions, while 'Decalogue' offers a cynical revision of the Ten Commandments.

### Human Folly and Self-Deception

Definitions such as 'Discussion' ('a method of confirming others in their errors') and 'Decide' (illustrating the illusion of free choice) underscore human folly and self-deception.

### Politics and Power

The definition of 'Dictator' ('the chief of a nation that prefers the pestilence of despotism to the plague of anarchy') and 'Duty' ('that which sternly impels us in the direction of profit') critique political power and authority.

## Character check-ins

### Angel

The Angel appears in the opening poem, returning a book and criticizing its content before kicking the author back to earth.

### The Dullards

The Dullards are described as a reigning dynasty in letters and life, originating from Boeotia and spreading across the world, with a large population in the United States.

### Sir Lavender Portwine

Sir Lavender Portwine is mentioned in the definition of 'Duty,' where he chooses duty over revenge after the king kisses Lady Port.

### Solomon

Solomon is referenced in the definition of 'Dog,' noting that even he never enjoyed the idle life of a dog.

### Caesar

Caesar is mentioned in the definition of 'Druids,' noting his visit to Britain and his lack of high preferment in the Druidical Church.

### Homer

Homer is referenced in the definition of 'Degenerate,' where his contemporaries are cited as examples of degeneracy.

### Adam

Adam is mentioned in the definition of 'Dissemble' with the line 'Let us dissemble.'

### Unknown

Pliny is referenced in the definition of 'Druids' for his account of their religion spreading eastward.

## Key lines

> Diplomacy The patriotic art of lying for one’s country.

Diplomacy is the patriotic skill of deceiving others on behalf of one's nation.

_This definition satirizes the practice of diplomacy as institutionalized lying for national interest._

> Discussion A method of confirming others in their errors.

Discussion is a way to reinforce other people's mistaken beliefs.

_This cynical take on discussion highlights the futility of debate in changing minds._

> Dog A kind of additional or subsidiary Deity designed to catch the overflow and surplus of the world’s worship.

A dog is a sort of lesser god that absorbs the excess worship humans have to give.

_This definition mocks the idolization of pets, comparing them to minor deities._

> Duel A formal ceremony preliminary to the reconciliation of two enemies.

A duel is a ritual that precedes the making of peace between two adversaries.

_This ironic definition suggests that dueling is a step toward reconciliation, often with fatal consequences._

> Duty That which sternly impels us in the direction of profit, along the line of desire.

Duty is what forcefully drives us toward personal gain, following our own wishes.

_This definition reduces duty to a self-serving impulse, undermining its moral weight._

## Links

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