He considered Chinese theater "flat" and Chinese poetry "ridiculous".[162] The "great Chinese scientific works" were "verbose compilations" lacking in the analytic rigor, which according to him whites alone were capable of achieving.[162] He asserted the Chinese were incapable of science because "the spirit of the yellow race is neither profound nor insightful to attain this quality [scientific excellence] reserved for the white race".[163] Gobineau believed China was a warning to the West of the perils of "democracy"—by which he meant meritocracy.[164] Because the Chinese state had attempted to promote education for the masses, the rule by the mandarins was meritocratic, and the exams to become a mandarin were open to all literate men.