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

This quote by Ambrose Bierce is a humorous way of describing someone who is considered to be "mad". By using the word "intellectual independence", Bierce is suggesting that the person is not following the accepted norms of society and is instead thinking for themselves. This could be seen as a positive trait, as it implies that the person is not afraid to challenge the status quo and think outside the box. However, it could also be seen as a negative trait, as it could lead to the person being seen as eccentric or strange. Ultimately, this quote is a reminder that it is important to think for oneself and not be afraid to challenge the accepted norms of society.