Hi, Anton!  Recently you wrote in a message to All:

AS>  The great Ambrose Bierce quotes the following in
AS>  his definition of conscience:

AS>  "Woes that defy the world's religions --
AS>  The Spirit's brooding ills --
AS>  We scatter, like a flock of pigeons,
AS>  With pills."

AS>  I don't understand the comparison: how does one
AS>  employ pills in scattering a flock of pigeons?
AS>  Or is a handfull of small pebbles?


            I'm reminded here of Jacqueline Susann's novel VALLEY OF THE DOLLS,
where women in particular were given pills which may have made them feel better
temporarily but which did not address the underlying problem(s).  Recently I've
heard that some folks have run afoul of the laws re practising medicine without
a licence in advertisements for vitamin & mineral supplements, claiming they'll
prevent or even cure COVID-19.  While I am not a medical professional (standard
disclaimer) I think I know enough about nutrition to realize that while some of
these things may help support the immune system the results can't be guaranteed
... and there is a lot of evidence suggesting that a person's spiritual beliefs
&/or relationships with other people may help too.  When I read his biography I
see why this author may have found neither of the latter met his needs....  :-Q

            I imagine human nature hasn't changed much since then, at any rate.
Folks often resort to pills when their state of health or whatever is in doubt,
and at present many of us are being advised... if not required... to stay home.
When pigeons find something to eat on a public sidewalk they tend to congregate
there until something startles them, then they "scatter".  Human beings tend to
congregate in pubs, restaurants, and coffee shops for similar reasons.  Just as
pigeons "scatter" when there is a perceived threat, we've done much the same in
our own way.  Looking at Bierce's description, however, I read "like a flock of
pigeons" as a parenthetical expression.  IMHO the author is commenting on how &
why people "scatter"... and what may or may not frighten pigeons is irrelevant.

            Usage note:  The verb "scatter" may be transitive... as you seem to
be interpreting it here... or intransitive.  In the intransitive sense it means
various members of a crowd go their separate ways.  The verb "disperse" is used
in a similar manner... but "scatter" implies a feeling of urgency as well.  :-)




--- timEd/386 1.10.y2k+