LITTLE BLUE BOOK NO. 1099 Edited by E. Haldeman Julius

A Cynic Looks at Life

Ambrose Bierce

HALDEMAN JULIUS COMPANY GIRARD, KANSAS

Copyright, 1912, by The Neale Publishing Company

Reprinted by Special Arrangement With Albert and Charles Boni, New York

PRINTED IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

A CYNIC LOOKS AT LIFE

CIVILIZATION

I

The question "Does civilization civilize?" is a fine example of petitio principii , and decides itself in the affirmative; for civilization must needs do that from the doing of which it has its name. But it is not necessary to suppose that he who propounds is either unconscious of his lapse in logic or desirous of digging a pitfall for the feet of those who discuss; I take it he simply wishes to put the matter in an impressive way, and relies upon a certain degree of intelligence in the interpretation.