Before too much time elapses since we were looking at Ambrose Bierce, and since the political scene is not yet tuned to its presidential year pitch, let’s turn to some particular definitions of Bierce dealing with politics and government. These, as did the ones quoted earlier, come from his The Devil’s Dictionary.

DIPLOMACY, n. The patriotic art of lying for one's country.

INCUMBENT, n. A person of the liveliest interest to the outcumbents.

JUSTICE, n. A commodity which is a more or less adulterated condition the State sells to the citizen as a reward for his allegiance, taxes and personal service.

POLITICS, n. A strife of interests masquerading as a contest of principles. The conduct of public affairs for private advantage.

PRESIDENT, n. The leading figure in a small group of men of whom -- and of whom only -- it is positively known that immense numbers of their countrymen did not want any of them for President.

RECOUNT, n. In American politics, another throw of the dice, accorded to the player against whom they are loaded.

REFERENDUM, n. A law for submission of proposed legislation to a popular vote to learn the nonsensus of public opinion.

WAR, n. A by-product of the arts of peace. The most menacing political condition is a period of international amity. The student of history who has not been taught to expect the unexpected may justly boast himself inaccessible to the light. "In time of peace prepare for war" has a deeper meaning than is commonly discerned; it means, not merely that all things earthly have an end -- that change is the one immutable and eternal law -- but that the soil of peace is thickly sown with the seeds of war and singularly suited to their germination and growth. . . .

These can be supplemented by one definition that, even though addressed at a wider target, manages to land heavily on the realm of politics.

BRAIN, n. An apparatus with which we think what we think. That which distinguishes the man who is content to be something from the man who wishes to do something. A man of great wealth, or one who has been pitchforked into high station, has commonly such a headful of brain that his neighbors cannot keep their hats on. In our civilization, and under our republican form of government, brain is so highly honored that it is rewarded by exemption from the cares of office.

The previous column posed this puzzler, “What do the following words have in common?”

The answer is, each of them becomes another word by replacing its last letter with the letter “t”.

Until next time, send me your solutions (or suggestions or complaints or stumpers) at hfox@juno.com or 2005 Burroughs Drive, Dayton, Ohio 45406.