The Cynic's Word Book. Bierce Ambrose

Their various charms before us.

           But why, O why, has ne'er an eye

           Seen her of winsome manner

           And youthful grace and pretty face

           Flaunting the White Cross banner?

           Now where's the need of speech and screed

           To better our behaving?

           A simpler plan for saving man

           (But, first, is he worth saving?)

           Is, dears, when he declines to flee

           From bad thoughts that beset him,

           Ignores the Law as't were a straw,

           And wants to sin – don't let him.

      CUI BQNO? [Latin] What good would that do me?

      CUNNING, n. The faculty that distinguishes a weak animal or person from a strong one. It brings its possessor much mental satisfaction and great material adversity. An Italian proverb says: "The furrier gets the skins of more foxes than asses."