# M 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 M, including 'Mace,' 'Mad,' 'Magdalene,' 'Magic,' 'Magnet,' 'Magnetism,' 'Mine,' 'Minister,' 'Minor,' 'Minstrel,' 'Miracle,' 'Miscreant,' 'Misdemeanor,' 'Misericorde,' 'Misfortune,' 'Miss,' 'Molecule,' 'Monad,' 'Monarch,' 'Monarchical Government,' 'Monday,' 'Money,' 'Monkey,' 'Monosyllabic,' 'Monsignor,' 'Monument,' 'Moral,' 'More,' 'Mouse,' 'Mousquetaire,' 'Mouth,' 'Mugwump,' 'Mulatto,' 'Multitude,' 'Mummy,' 'Mustang,' and 'Myrmidon.' The definitions are laced with irony and social commentary, targeting religion, politics, language, and human folly. ## Themes in this chapter ### Hypocrisy and Duplicity The definition of 'Minister' describes an officer sent abroad as 'the visible embodiment of his sovereign’s hostility' with 'plausible inveracity,' highlighting diplomatic hypocrisy. ### Critique of Religion The definition of 'Miscreant' notes its etymological meaning as 'unbeliever' and calls it 'theology’s noblest contribution to the development of our language,' mocking religious intolerance. ### Politics and Power The definition of 'Mace' as a 'staff of office signifying authority' originally used for 'dissuading from dissent' critiques the coercive nature of political power. ### Human Folly and Self-Deception The definition of 'Mind' as a 'mysterious form of matter secreted by the brain' that futilely tries to know itself satirizes human self-awareness and intellectual pretension. ## Character check-ins ### Unknown The narrator provides the definitions and commentary throughout the chapter. ### Leibnitz Mentioned in the definition of 'Monad' as the philosopher who developed the theory of monads. ### Satan Referenced in the poem within the definition of 'Machination' as bowing with hand upon his heart. ### Christ Referenced in the definition of 'Monsignor' as the Founder of religion who overlooked the advantages of the title. ### Moses Not directly mentioned in the excerpts, but the definition of 'Monument' references Agammemnon; no direct match. ## Key lines > Mind A mysterious form of matter secreted by the brain. Its chief activity consists in the endeavor to ascertain its own nature, the futility of the attempt being due to the fact that it has nothing but itself to know itself with. The mind is a strange substance produced by the brain, which spends most of its time trying to understand itself, but this is pointless because it can only use itself to do so. _Satirizes the circular nature of self-reflection and the limits of human understanding._ > Minister An agent of a higher power with a lower responsibility. In diplomacy an officer sent into a foreign country as the visible embodiment of his sovereign’s hostility. His principal qualification is a degree of plausible inveracity next below that of an ambassador. A minister is a representative of a higher authority but with less accountability, especially in diplomacy where they are sent abroad to embody their ruler's hostility, and their main skill is lying almost as well as an ambassador. _Critiques the dishonesty and hostility inherent in diplomatic roles._ > Misericorde A dagger which in medieval warfare was used by the foot soldier to remind an unhorsed knight that he was mortal. A misericorde was a dagger used in medieval battles to kill a fallen knight, serving as a grim reminder of his mortality. _Highlights the brutal reality of war beneath chivalric ideals._ > Monarch A person engaged in reigning. Formerly the monarch ruled, as the derivation of the word attests, and as many subjects have had occasion to learn. In Russia and the Orient the monarch has still a considerable influence in public affairs and in the disposition of the human head, but in western Europe political administration is mostly entrusted to his ministers, he being somewhat preoccupied with reflections relating to the status of his own head. A monarch is someone who reigns; historically they ruled absolutely, but now in Russia and the East they still have power over life and death, while in Western Europe they are more concerned with their own survival and leave governing to ministers. _Contrasts different forms of monarchy and satirizes the reduced power of European monarchs._ > Money A blessing that is of no advantage to us excepting when we part with it. An evidence of culture and a passport to polite society. Supportable property. Money is a benefit only when we spend it, and it serves as a sign of refinement and a ticket to high society, but it is merely a form of property that can be endured. _Satirizes the social value placed on wealth and the paradox of its utility only in exchange._ ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_devil_s_dictionary_se/chapters/m - Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_devil_s_dictionary_se - All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_devil_s_dictionary_se/chapters