 | The collected works of Ambrose Bierce |  |
Decalogue, n.
[_]
A series of commandments, ten in number—just enough to permit an intelligent selection for observance, but not enough to embarrass the choice. Following is the revised edition of the Decalogue, calculated for this meridian.
[Thou shalt no God but me adore]
Thou shalt no God but me adore:
'Twere too expensive to have more.
'Twere too expensive to have more.
65
No images nor idols make
For Robert Ingersoll to break.
For Robert Ingersoll to break.
Take not God's name in vain; select
A time when it will have effect.
A time when it will have effect.
Work not on Sabbath days at all,
But go to see the teams play ball.
But go to see the teams play ball.
Honor thy parents. That creates
For life insurance lower rates.
For life insurance lower rates.
Kill not, abet not those who kill;
Thou shalt not pay thy butcher's bill.
Thou shalt not pay thy butcher's bill.
Kiss not thy neighbor's wife, unless
Thine own thy neighbor doth caress.
Thine own thy neighbor doth caress.
Don't steal; thou'lt never thus compete
Successfully in business. Cheat.
Successfully in business. Cheat.
Bear not false witness—that is low—
But “hear 'tis rumored so and so.”
But “hear 'tis rumored so and so.”
Covet thou naught that thou hast not
By hook or crook, or somehow, got.
By hook or crook, or somehow, got.
G. J.
| The collected works of Ambrose Bierce | |