# CXVI explained — Poetry

> Chapter companion for Poetry by Ambrose Bierce.

## What happens

The critic's theories are limited by their own perspective, just as a physiognomist uses their own face as the standard of judgment.

## Themes in this chapter

### Art and Criticism

The chapter critiques how critics impose their own limitations as universal standards.

## Key lines

> As the physiognomist takes his own face as the highest type and standard, so the critic’s theories are imposed by his own limitations.

Just as a physiognomist judges others by their own face, a critic's theories are shaped by their personal limitations.

_This aphorism highlights the subjective nature of criticism._

## Links

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