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Bloody martyrs

An ignorant Irishman called his co-workers who worked a half shift after a full day's work bloody martyrs.  "Bloody martyrs, they're dead!"  It was hard to know whether he was intending them harm for their sacrifice, or whether he was telling them that, like all martyrs, they'd kill themselves with their various exertions and sufferings.
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Machiavelli mocked Savonarola for being an unarmed prophet, but failed to observe that he himself had endured the torture of the strappado.
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It would be mischievous to suggest that certain signature Pilates moves are meant to mimic the crucifixion, but we all have our crosses to bear, after all.  Still, it would be wise to reflect on the full extent of Pontius Pilates' betrayal!
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