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
It must be remembered that Quality is a very different thing from
intellectuality or morality. A high Quality person may be immoral and
not specially intellectual, although there is almost always a _keenness_
of perception, and almost intuitive recognition, in these cases--the
immorality is generally lacking in coarseness, and is usually connected
with perversion of the æsthetic faculties. In the same way, the person
of low Quality often may be moral according to the code, but will be
coarse in the manifestation of that virtue, and may possess a certain
low cunning which with many persons passes for intellect and "brains."
In speaking of Quality, the words "fineness" and "coarseness" come
easily to the mind and tongue and are perhaps the terms most suggestive
of the two extremes of this attribute of the Man.
TEMPERAMENT
Next in the order of consideration we find what is called _Temperament_.
Temperament is defined as: "That individual peculiarity of organization
by which the manner of acting, feeling and thinking of each person is
permanently affected; disposition or constitution of the mind,
especially as regards the passions and affections."
Hippocrates, the ancient Greek philosopher-physician (B. C. 468-367)
held to the existence of four temperaments, which he attributed to
certain qualities of the blood and the several secretions of the body
such as the bile, etc. While his theory was rejected by later
investigators, his classification continued until very recently under
the name of (1) the Sanguine; (2) the Lymphatic or Phlegmatic; (3) the
Choleric or Bilious; and (4) the Melancholic temperaments, respectively.
As a matter of general information on the subject we herewith give the
old classification with the attributes of each class:
The _Sanguine_ temperament was held to be characterized by red or
light-brown hair, blue eyes, a fair or ruddy complexion, large arteries
and veins, a full and rapid pulse, slight perspiration, impatience of
heat, febrile tendency, and lively and cheerful temper, excitable
passions, a warm, ardent, impulsive disposition, and a liking for active
pursuits;
The _Lymphatic_, or _Phlegmatic_ temperament was held to be
characterized by light, sandy, or whitish hair, light grey eyes, pallid
complexion, skin almost devoid of hair, flabby tissues, much
perspiration, small blood-vessels, a feeble and slow pulse, want of
energy, lack of activity, deficient spirit and vividness;
The _Choleric_ or _Bilious_ temperament was held to be characterized by
black hair often curling, black or hazel eyes, and dark but ruddy
complexion, hairy skin, strong full pulse, firm muscles, great activity
and positiveness, strength of character, and an active brain.
The _Melancholic_ temperament was held to be characterized by black
hair, black or hazel eyes, a dark leaden complexion, pulse slow and
feeble, and a disposition toward study, poetry, literature, and
sentiment.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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