'"Decalogue "' by Ambrose Bierce
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Thou shalt no God but me adore:
'Twere too expensive to have more.
No images nor idols make
For Roger Ingersoll to break.
Take not God's name in vain: select
A time when it will have effect.
Work not on Sabbath days at all,
But go to see the teams play ball.
Honor thy parents. That creates
For life insurance lower rates.
Kill not, abet not those who kill;
Thou shalt not pay thy butcher's bill.
Kiss not thy neighbor's wife, unless
Thine own thy neighbor doth caress.
Don't steal; thou'lt never thus compete
Successfully in business. Cheat.
Bear not false witness--that is low--
But "hear 'tis rumored so and so."
Covet thou naught that thou hast got
By hook or crook, or somehow, got.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Literary Criticism and Interpretation of Ambrose Bierce's "Decalogue"
Ambrose Bierce's "Decalogue" is a thought-provoking poem that offers a commentary on the human condition. In this poem, Bierce presents ten commandments that are not the traditional religious commandments that we are familiar with but are rather commandments focused on the world we live in. Through his use of language, imagery, and symbolism, Bierce critiques the negative aspects of human nature, such as greed, envy, and arrogance.
The poem is structured in ten stanzas, each representing one of the commandments. Each stanza is composed of two quatrains, and the rhyme scheme is ABAB. The use of the quatrain form, with its four lines, creates a sense of order and structure in the poem. However, the content of the poem is anything but orderly and structured. Instead, it is chaotic and unsettling, as the commandments Bierce presents are harsh and challenging.
The first commandment states, "Thou shalt not kill, but needst not strive officiously to keep alive." Bierce's use of the word "officiously" is crucial here. By adding this word, he is suggesting that there are situations in which it is not necessary to save a life. This commandment challenges the traditional notion of the sanctity of life and suggests that there are situations in which ending a life might be justified. This is a bold statement, and it sets the tone for the rest of the poem.
The second commandment states, "Thou shalt not worship aught that thou hast carved, painted, sculptured, or otherwise fashioned in thy own image." This commandment critiques the human tendency towards arrogance and self-centeredness. It is a warning against worshipping ourselves and our own creations instead of recognizing the divine that exists beyond us.
The third commandment states, "Thou shalt not bow down thyself unto thy destiny, for it is false, and thou shalt not worship thy weakness, for it is false." This commandment challenges the notion of fate and suggests that we are not helpless victims of circumstance. Instead, we have the power to shape our destinies and rise above our weaknesses.
The fourth commandment states, "Thou shalt not steal, except by accident." This commandment is a critique of the human tendency towards greed and the desire for material wealth. It suggests that stealing is only acceptable if it is unintentional, which is a challenging standard to meet.
The fifth commandment states, "Thou shalt not commit adultery, unless thou art in the mood." This commandment challenges the traditional notions of fidelity and monogamy. It suggests that human desire is a powerful force that cannot always be controlled. This commandment is perhaps the most controversial of them all, as it challenges the very foundations of human relationships.
The sixth commandment states, "Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's wife, unless thou art able to bear the consequences." This commandment is a warning against envy and the desire for what belongs to others. It suggests that we must be prepared to deal with the consequences of our actions and that we should not pursue what we cannot handle.
The seventh commandment states, "Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's goods, unless thou canst acquire them." This commandment is another critique of human greed and the desire for material wealth. It suggests that it is acceptable to covet what belongs to others if we are capable of acquiring it ourselves.
The eighth commandment states, "Thou shalt bear false witness against thy neighbor, unless thou art in a tight place." This commandment challenges the notion of truth and honesty. It suggests that there are situations in which lying might be justified if it is done to protect oneself.
The ninth commandment states, "Thou shalt not forgive thy neighbor until he has repented." This commandment is a warning against forgiveness and suggests that we should not forgive others until they have acknowledged their wrongdoing and repented. It is a challenging standard to meet, as forgiveness often requires us to let go of our own anger and resentment.
The tenth and final commandment states, "Thou shalt not love thy neighbor as thyself, for thou art thyself, and he is not." This commandment challenges the traditional notion of love and suggests that we should not love others as we love ourselves. Instead, we must recognize that we are separate individuals with our own unique experiences and perspectives.
Overall, Bierce's "Decalogue" is a challenging and thought-provoking poem that raises important questions about the human condition. Through his use of language, imagery, and symbolism, Bierce critiques the negative aspects of human nature and challenges traditional notions of morality and ethics. This poem is a testament to Bierce's skill as a writer and his ability to challenge his readers' beliefs and assumptions.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The world of poetry is a vast and intricate one, with countless poets and their works spanning across centuries. However, there are certain poems that stand out and leave an indelible mark on the reader's mind. One such poem is the "Decalogue" by Ambrose Bierce.
Ambrose Bierce was an American writer, journalist, and satirist who lived from 1842 to 1914. He is best known for his short stories, which often had a dark and cynical tone. However, Bierce was also a poet, and his poem "Decalogue" is a masterpiece that showcases his talent for using language to convey complex ideas.
The "Decalogue" is a ten-line poem that is structured like the Ten Commandments. Each line begins with the phrase "Thou shalt not," followed by a prohibition. However, unlike the biblical commandments, Bierce's prohibitions are not moral or religious in nature. Instead, they are a satirical commentary on human behavior and society.
The first line of the poem reads, "Thou shalt not kill, but needst not strive officiously to keep alive." This line is a commentary on the hypocrisy of society, which condemns killing but often turns a blind eye to the suffering of others. Bierce is suggesting that it is not enough to simply avoid killing; we must also strive to help those in need.
The second line reads, "Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's wife, unless thy neighbor is away on a business trip." This line is a humorous take on the seventh commandment, which prohibits adultery. Bierce is suggesting that people are often tempted to break this commandment when they think they can get away with it.
The third line reads, "Thou shalt not steal, unless thou art sure of not being found out." This line is a commentary on the human tendency to justify immoral behavior if we think we can get away with it. Bierce is suggesting that true morality requires us to do the right thing even when no one is watching.
The fourth line reads, "Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor, unless thou art quite sure thy neighbor is guilty." This line is a commentary on the justice system, which often values conviction over truth. Bierce is suggesting that we should not be quick to judge others and should always seek the truth.
The fifth line reads, "Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's goods, unless they are insured." This line is a commentary on the materialistic nature of society, which values possessions over people. Bierce is suggesting that we should focus on what is truly important in life, such as relationships and experiences, rather than material possessions.
The sixth line reads, "Thou shalt not cheat thyself of the hour of living, but neither shalt thou bury thyself alive in the pursuit of it." This line is a commentary on the balance between work and leisure. Bierce is suggesting that we should enjoy life and not become so consumed with work that we forget to live.
The seventh line reads, "Thou shalt not worship thyself, nor shalt thou despise thyself, nor shalt thou ignore thyself." This line is a commentary on the importance of self-love and self-care. Bierce is suggesting that we should value ourselves and take care of our physical and mental health.
The eighth line reads, "Thou shalt not compel thy neighbor to believe and worship as thou dost, but this shall not excuse thee from comforting him in his belief." This line is a commentary on religious tolerance and the importance of respecting others' beliefs. Bierce is suggesting that we should not force our beliefs on others but should instead offer comfort and support.
The ninth line reads, "Thou shalt not forget thy duty to thy neighbor, for he is doing his best to forget it unto thee." This line is a commentary on the human tendency to be self-centered and forgetful of others. Bierce is suggesting that we should always remember our duty to others and strive to be kind and helpful.
The final line of the poem reads, "Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's tenth wife, for peace and comfort lie in a happy home and not in a multitude of marriages." This line is a commentary on the institution of marriage and the importance of a happy home life. Bierce is suggesting that we should value our relationships and work to create a happy and peaceful home.
In conclusion, the "Decalogue" by Ambrose Bierce is a masterpiece of satirical poetry that offers a commentary on human behavior and society. Each line of the poem is a thought-provoking and humorous take on the Ten Commandments, and Bierce's use of language is masterful. The poem is a reminder that true morality requires us to do the right thing, even when it is difficult, and that we should value what is truly important in life, such as relationships and self-care.
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