Who said “Patience, n. A minor form of despair, disguised as a virtue.”?

Verified

Ambrose Bierce. A published source records them saying or writing it.

SourceThe Devil's Dictionary (1911)

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Cite this quote

For academic work, cite the original where you can: The Devil's Dictionary (1911).

APA

Bierce, A. (n.d.). Patience, n. A minor form of despair, disguised as a virtue. [Quotation]. Famous Quotations Network. Retrieved October 24, 2026, from https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/31968-patience-n-a-minor-form-of-despair-disguised/

MLA

Bierce, Ambrose. “Patience, n. A minor form of despair, disguised as a virtue.” Famous Quotations Network, https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/31968-patience-n-a-minor-form-of-despair-disguised/. Accessed 24 Oct. 2026.

Chicago

Bierce, Ambrose. “Patience, n. A minor form of despair, disguised as a virtue.” Famous Quotations Network. Accessed October 24, 2026. https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/31968-patience-n-a-minor-form-of-despair-disguised/.

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