"Egotism, n: Doing the New York Times crossword puzzle with a pen"

Egotism is a term used to describe someone who is overly self-centered and focused on their own accomplishments. In this quote, Ambrose Bierce is using the term to describe someone who is so confident in their own abilities that they are willing to do the New York Times crossword puzzle with a pen. This implies that the person is so sure of their own intelligence and skills that they are willing to take on a challenge that most people would use a pencil for, as mistakes can be easily erased. This quote is a humorous way of highlighting the arrogance of someone who is overly confident in their own abilities. It is a reminder to not take ourselves too seriously and to be humble in our successes.