PHYSIOGNOMY, n. The art of determining the character of another by the resemblances and differences between his face and our own, which is the standard of excellence.
Interpretation
Physiognomy is the practice of interpreting a person's character based on their facial features.
Ambrose Bierce's quote on physiognomy emphasizes the subjective nature of judging character through facial similarities and differences. It suggests that our perceptions of others are often influenced by our own features, leading to a unique understanding of character that can vary from person to person.
In practice
In a discussion about character assessment in psychology, I might use this quote to illustrate subjective judgment.
PALM, n. A species of tree . . . of which the familiar "itching palm" ("Palma hominis") is most widely distributed . . . . This noble vegetable exudes a kind of invisible gum, which may be detected by applying to the bark a piece of gold or silver.
Human nature is pretty well balanced; for every lacking virtue there is a rough substitute that will serve at a pinch--as cunning is the wisdom of the unwise, and ferocity the courage of the coward.
Indigestion: A disease which the patient and his friends frequently mistake for deep religious conviction and concern for the salvation of mankind. As the simple Red Man of the Western Wild put it, with, it must be confessed, a certain force: 'Plenty well, no pray; big belly ache, heap God.'
Disobey n:To celebrate with an appropriate ceremony the maturity of a command
NOUMENON, n. That which exists, as distinguished from that which merely seems to exist, the latter being a phenomenon. The noumenon is a bit difficult to locate; it can be apprehended only by a process of reasoning - which is a phenomenon.
PARDON, v. To remit a penalty and restore to the life of crime. To add to the lure of crime the temptation of ingratitude.
Strange how paranoia can link up with reality now and then.
You never step in the same river of thought twice, because neither you nor it are the same.
The soul at its highest is found like God, but an angel gives a closer idea of Him. That is all an angel is: an idea of God.
Any hack can safely rail away at foreign powers beyond the sea; but a good writer is a critic of the society he lives in.
We don't have to expect everything from those who govern us; that would be juvenile.
It was the first time that I came face to face with madness and feared it and was fascinated by it.
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