How to Read Human Nature: Its Inner States and Outer FormsAtkinson, William Walker
Science
How to Read Human Nature: Its Inner States and Outer Forms
Atkinson, William Walker
Character; Personality; Phrenology; Physiognomy
Descending the scale we find lessening degrees of the manifestation of
Quality, until, finally we reach the lowest degree of the scale, that
of _low_ Quality. In this lowest degree we find individuals showing all
the outward signs of being coarse-grained, vulgar, of low tastes, brutal
instincts, and manifesting the signs of lack of refinement and culture.
Persons of low Quality are found in all walks of life. Some of those
possessing wealth and education belong to this class, and are never able
to counterfeit the reality. Quality is a matter of "soul," and not of
wealth, education or material advantages. A greyhound and a hyena give
us animal symbols of Quality, high and low.
We meet many instances in which the individual is of too high Quality
for his environment, occupation or place in life. Such individuals
suffer keenly and are to be pitied. They incline toward high ideals and
are wounded and discouraged by the grossness which they see on all
sides. Those individuals of an average degree of Quality of course fit
into the usual environment far better than those above or below them in
the scale. We also meet individuals of low Quality in surroundings in
which they are out of place--we see many instances of "pigs in the
parlor." These individuals, however, find it much easier to descend to
their own level, than it is for the high Quality individuals to ascend
to theirs. The coarse man finds but little trouble in meeting with boon
companions whose tastes are harmonious to his. The person of extremely
high Quality may be said to have been born before his time, while those
of the lowest Quality are atavistic and born after their time. Remember,
always, that Quality is an attribute of "soul," and not of birth,
wealth, or even of education. We may find many "gentlemen" of humble
birth, small means and limited education; and also many "educated pigs"
of high lineage and full coffers.
The Outer Form of Quality is shown by the relative _fineness_ of general
structure, and by the general form, appearance, manner, motion, voice,
laughter, and more than all by that indescribable impression of
"fineness" and "distinction" which they produce upon observing persons
with whom they come in contact.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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