"Mad, adj. Affected with a high degree of intellectual independence"

This quote by Ambrose Bierce is an amusing way of describing someone who is considered to be "mad". By using the word "intellectual independence", Bierce is recommending that the individual is not following the accepted standards of society and is rather thinking on their own. This could be viewed as a positive characteristic, as it suggests that the individual is not afraid to challenge the status quo and believe outside package. However, it could also be seen as a negative quality, as it might cause the person being viewed as eccentric or weird. Eventually, this quote is a pointer that it is essential to believe for oneself and not hesitate to challenge the accepted norms of society.