Philosophumena; or, The refutation of all heresies, Volume I
David Hume · en
12. The type of those under Pisces: medium stature, with narrow
foreheads like fishes, thick hair. They often become grey quickly.
Their disposition is: great-souled, simple, passionate, thrifty,
talkative. They will be sleepy at an early age, they want to do
business by themselves, illustrious, venturesome, envious, litigious,
changing their place of abode, beloved, fond of dancing.[101] Useful
for friendship.
13. Since we have set forth their wonderful wisdom, and have not
concealed their much-laboured art of divination by intelligence,[102]
neither shall we be silent on the folly into [Sidenote: p. 93.] which
their mistakes in these matters lead them. For how feeble are they in
finding a parallel between the names of the stars and the forms and
dispositions of men? For we know that those who at the outset chanced
upon the stars, naming them according to their own fancy, called them
by names for the purpose of easily and clearly recognizing them. For
what likeness is there in these names to the appearance of the Zodiacal
signs, or what similar nature of working and activity, so that any one
born under Leo should be thought courageous,[103] or he who is born
under Virgo moderate, or under Cancer bad, and those under[104]....
4. _The Magicians._[105]
(The gap here caused by the mutilation of the MS. was probably filled
by a description of the mode of divination by enquiry of a spirit or
dæmon which was generally made in writing, as Lucian describes in
his account of the imposture of Alexander of Abonoteichos. The MS.
proceeds.)