# CCXI explained — Poetry

> Chapter companion for Poetry by Ambrose Bierce.

## What happens

A single aphoristic observation on the nature of success and failure, suggesting that those who fail view success as an accident tinged with criminality.

## Themes in this chapter

### Hypocrisy and Corruption

The line implies a presumption of crime in success, reflecting a cynical view of moral corruption behind achievement.

### Deception and Self-Deception

Failure's perception of success as an accident hints at self-deception or rationalization of one's own shortcomings.

## Key lines

> To the eye of failure success is an accident with a presumption of crime.

From the perspective of someone who has failed, success appears to be a random event that likely involves wrongdoing.

_A concise epigram on envy and moral judgment._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_se/chapters/ccxi
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_se/chapters