Meaning: The quote, "Confidante: One entrusted by A with the secrets of B confided to herself by C," is a humorous and satirical definition of the term "confidante" by Ambrose Bierce, who was an American journalist, writer, and satirist. Bierce is best known for his sardonic wit and his critical view of human nature, which is reflected in his work, "The Devil's Dictionary." This quote is from Bierce's satirical lexicon, where he redefined and mocked various words and concepts in a humorous and critical manner.

In this quote, Bierce provides a tongue-in-cheek definition of the term "confidante," which traditionally refers to a person to whom secrets or private matters are confided. Bierce's definition adds a layer of complexity and irony to the concept of a confidante by highlighting the intricate web of trust and secrecy that exists between three individuals.

The first part of the quote, "One entrusted by A with the secrets of B," sets the stage by introducing the idea of trust and confidentiality. It implies that person A has entrusted someone, the confidante, with the secrets of person B. This establishes the confidante as a trusted intermediary who holds privileged information.

The second part of the quote, "confided to herself by C," introduces a twist by suggesting that the secrets of person B, which were entrusted to the confidante by person A, were actually confided to the confidante by person C. This creates a humorous and absurd scenario where the chain of trust and confidentiality becomes convoluted and comically complicated.

Bierce's definition of "confidante" playfully subverts the conventional understanding of the term, highlighting the potential for betrayal, misunderstanding, and miscommunication in human relationships. It satirizes the idea of trust and confidentiality by exposing the absurdity and inherent challenges in keeping and sharing secrets.

The quote also reflects Bierce's cynical and critical view of human nature, as it underscores the complexities and potential for deception in interpersonal relationships. Through his satirical redefinition of "confidante," Bierce invites the reader to question the nature of trust, secrecy, and the dynamics of interpersonal communication.

Overall, Bierce's quote serves as a witty and thought-provoking commentary on the nature of trust and confidentiality. It challenges the traditional notion of a confidante as a trustworthy and reliable keeper of secrets, and instead presents a humorous and ironic perspective on the intricacies of human relationships and the potential for misunderstanding and miscommunication.

In summary, Ambrose Bierce's quote on the concept of a confidante offers a satirical and critical examination of trust, secrecy, and human relationships. Through his sardonic wit and clever wordplay, Bierce prompts readers to reconsider the complexities and potential absurdities of interpersonal trust and communication.