Quotation by

Ambrose Bierce

Patience, n. A minor form of dispair, disguised as a virtue.

Advertisement

Understanding this quote AI Analysis

The quote suggests that what we often call patience is actually a quiet form of hopelessness, where people endure difficulties without taking action. It implies that patience is not always a positive quality, but sometimes a way to hide frustration or resignation.

More by this author

All quotes by Ambrose Bierce →

More quotes about Patience

See all →
So it's been a slow process and it's taken some patience. That's why patients are called patients I think - patience is required.

Advertisement

As a young boy, I read 'Cheaper by the Dozen' and immediately became neurotic about my use of time. It taxed me severely, but only for the next 50 years. But I think it also allowed me to discipline …
Soon I knew the craft of experimental physics was beyond me - it was the sublime quality of patience - patience in accumulating data, patience with recalcitrant equipment - which I sadly lacked.