Ambrose Bierce was a wonderful writer, and I used some of his short stories in senior English classes when I taught. I think his 'Devil's Dictionary' is great. Had a few parents complain to the principal that satanism shouldn't be taught in schools. It was the same parents who didn't want 'The Stone Angel' used in school because of the sex scene. (There is an allusion to a sex scene, but nothing explicit.) Anyway, to that I replied I'd use Song of Songs from The Bible instead. They seemed OK with that.

Remember, always beware of stupid people, in groups.