Ambrose Bierce Quote - Belladonna, n.: In Italian a beautiful lady; in English a deadly poison. A striking example of the essential identity of the two tongues.

Beauty Quotes

Belladonna, n.: In Italian a beautiful lady; in English a deadly poison. A striking example of the essential identity of the two tongues.

"Belladonna, n.: In Italian a beautiful lady; in English a deadly poison. A striking example of the essential identity of the two tongues."

— Ambrose Bierce

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Author: Ambrose Bierce
Category: Beauty
Tags: Beauty Language Sardonic Satire

Meaning of this quote

A word meaning both a beautiful woman and a poison enables a deliberately sexist joke.

Key takeaway: Recognize the stereotype and avoid treating satire as a factual claim about women.

Origin of the quote

The Devil’s Dictionary.

Who actually said this?

Verified

Matched in Bierce’s satirical dictionary; dictionary labels and punctuation may be omitted in the supplied title. These are satirical definitions, not neutral factual definitions.

Attributed author: Ambrose Bierce

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