"Anoint, v.: To grease a king or other great functionary already sufficiently slippery"
- Ambrose Bierce
About this Quote
This quote by Ambrose Bierce is an amusing way of explaining the act of anointing somebody. Blessing is a spiritual ritual that is often used to signify the consecration of an individual to a higher workplace or position. In this quote, Bierce is suggesting that blessing somebody is an unneeded act, as those in power are already slippery enough. He suggests that those in power are currently adept at controling and managing the masses, and that blessing them is unnecessary.
Bierce's quote is a commentary on the power dynamics of society. He is suggesting that those in power are already slippery enough, which blessing them is a wild-goose chase. He indicates that those in power are already proficient at manipulating and managing the masses, and that blessing them is unnecessary. This quote is a pointer that those in power are frequently slippery and tough to control, and that anointing them is inadequate to guarantee that they will act in the very best interests of individuals.
"To be really great in little things, to be truly noble and heroic in the insipid details of everyday life, is a virtue so rare as to be worthy of canonization"
"Having soon discovered to be great, I must appear so, and therefore studiously avoided mixing in society, and wrapped myself in mystery, devoting my time to fasting and prayer"