George A. Knight by Ambrose Bierce
"The Devil's Dictionary" is a satirical and humorous collection of words and their definitions, written in a style that pokes fun at the absurdity of language and society. The book is composed of over 1,000 entries, each with its own unique definition, etymology, and illustration. Bierce's wit and sarcasm shine through in every entry, as he skewers everything from politics and religion to love and marriage. With its clever wordplay and biting social commentary, "The Devil's Dictionary" is a timeless classic that continues to delight readers to this day.
By Ambrose Bierce · First published 1896 · Genre: Biography, Historical, Non-Fiction · 561 words
First lines
Attorney Knight, it happens so sometimes That lawyers, justifying cut-throats' crimes For hire -- calumniating, too, for gold, The dead, dumb victims cruelly unsouled -- Speak, through the press, to a tribunal far More honorable than their Honors are, -- A court that sits not with assenting smile While living rogues dead gentleman revile, -- A court where scoundrel ethics of your trade Confuse no judgment and no cheating aid, -- The Court of Honest Souls, where you in vain May plead your right to falsify for gain, Sternly reminded if a man engage To serve assassins for the liar's wage, His mouth with vilifying falsehoods crammed, He's twice detestable and doubly damned!
What this Textopian page supports
George A. Knight is listed on Textopian as a short story by Ambrose Bierce, dated 1896 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: Ambrose Bierce
- Date: 1896 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Biography, Historical, Non-Fiction
- Length: 561 words
- Structure: 1 section, 7 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for George A. Knight by Ambrose Bierce
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
- Passage-specific claims should cite the exact /read/ URL for the relevant chapter or paragraph
Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering George A. Knight?
- How does this short story by Ambrose Bierce fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Biography first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- The Seeker And The Sought by Ambrose Bierce
- At The Eleventh Hour by Ambrose Bierce
- Ornithanthropos by Ambrose Bierce
- James L Flood by Ambrose Bierce
- Dennis Kearney by Ambrose Bierce
- Liberty by Ambrose Bierce
Genres
- Biography — The title suggests the book is about George A. Knight, therefore it is likely a biography.
- Historical — Since Ambrose Bierce is known for historical works, this book might contain historical themes.
- Non-Fiction — Based on the name in the title, this might be a non-fiction account.
Tags
horror · ghost story · supernatural · mystery · thriller · suspense · fiction · literary fiction · classic · vintage · retro · 19th century