HOW TO READ HUMAN NATURE/ PART 17
CHAPTER XVII
CHINS AND MOUTHS
Physiognomists
regard the chin as an important feature to be considered in the study of faces
as the outer form of character. The following are the principal points of the
"reading" of chins.
In
Fig. 20 we see the first point to be observed in the study of chins. The rule
is to draw an imaginary perpendicular line from the point at the root of the
nose, between the two eyebrows. In the normal and average type, the line
touches the upper lip and chin. But we find the normal condition in but
comparatively few cases, the majority manifesting a variation backward or
forward. When the chin is found to recede from the line, it is interpreted as
an indication of weakness, lack of stability and firmness, and a general
vacillating and unstable character. When the chin projects beyond the line, it
is interpreted as indicating firmness, stubborness, and a generally selfish
nature, which is considered "strong" by contrast with the
"weak" receding chin. When the projecting chin is pointed,
it indicates that the strength is manifested as grasping, miserliness, etc.;
while if it is square, it indicates Combativeness and
Destructiveness as well as Acquisitiveness; and if it is very broad and
square, it indicates the domineering, "bossy," tyrannical,
self-willed character.
Fig. 20
CHIN STUDY
The
above points regarding the chin must always be taken into consideration. The
following points are based on the shape of the chin when in normal
position, that is when the perpendicular line descends in a straight line
from the root of the nose to the chin:
The narrow-round
chin indicates idealistic feeling not manifesting in
decided action. These people have high desires, longings, and aspiration, but
lack the will to act upon the same.
The narrow-square
chin indicates the idealistic nature, accompanied by the will
to act upon the same.
The broad-round
chin indicates substantial feeling, without the will to
manifest it in decided action. These people desire ordinary, plain, practical
things, but lack the initiative, will and nerve to overcome obstacles to
acquire them.
The broad-square
chin indicates that the feelings are plain, practical and
substantial, with the will to back them up. From the above, it will
be seen that roundness indicates feeling; and
that squareness denotes will; that narrowness
denotes ideality; while broadness denotes practical,
substantial, plain desires and tastes.
The dimpled
or indented chin indicates the warm artistic temperament with its
accompanying desire for love of the opposite sex, desire for affection, and
alas! too often a fickleness and lack of loyalty and fidelity in love affairs.
JAWS
A broad,
firm jaw indicates strong Combativeness, Destructiveness and Firmness.
A narrow,
loose jaw indicates the reverse of the qualities above noted.
A loose,
drooping jaw and open mouth indicates timidity, weakness, shyness, or
despondency.
The fighters in
all walks of life manifest the strong, firm jaw. It is the survival of the
primitive "bite" in the animal or cave-man.
MOUTHS
The
Orientals have a proverb which runs as follows: "By a man's eyes, know
what he might have been, or may be; by his mouth, knew what he has been, and
is." The study of the mouth is one of the greatest interest, and one
which will richly repay one for his time and thought. It will be noticed that
there is a great difference between the mouth and lips of an individual in
childhood, in youth, and in middle-age, which fact shows the truth of the
Oriental proverb just quoted. The mouth indeed shows what a man has been and
is.
Small
mouths generally denote undeveloped, childish, or babyish
character, neither good nor bad.
Large
mouths denote matured character, good or bad. When firm, they
denote force and energy. When half-open, they denote dullness and heaviness.
When showing full protruding lips, they denote sensuality and selfish passions
and tastes. When very large and flexible, they denote the "windy"
person who is fond of talking and hearing the sound of his own voice—when one
says that another is "big-mouthed" he states a truth which physiognomy
bears out.
An upward
curve of the corners of the mouth, denotes a cheerful, optimistic
disposition and mental attitude. Likewise, a downward curve denotes
a despondent, pessimistic disposition and mental attitude. A graceful
bow-like curve, shows a well-balanced and "all around" disposition.
Tightly
closed lips indicate a firmness, and often a "closeness" of
disposition. Loosely closed lips indicate a lack of firmness,
and often a spendthrift tendency. Lips that touch lightly and protrude
slightly in a "kiss-like" shape, indicate vanity, love of
praise and flattery, and often a desire to be petted.
Puffed-out
lips indicate sloth, dullness, lack of energy and ambition,
general heaviness. Coarse lips indicate lack of refinement,
and often grossness. Particularly full lips indicate
Amativeness and sometimes Sensuality.
Slanting
mouths indicate trickiness, "foxiness" and general
unreliability. Crooked mouths, or mouths greatly out of symmetry,
are held by many authorities to indicate lack of Conscientiousness, and often
criminal tendencies.
Full,
red, middle-lips indicate love of the opposite sex. Thin, pale
middle-lips denote the opposite traits.
A
long upper-lip indicates Self-Esteem. A short upper-lip denotes
deficient Self-Esteem, but often also a strong Approbativeness. (John D.
Rockefeller has an almost abnormally long upper lip.)
The
affectionate faculties are believed to manifest in outer form in the center of
the lips, because of certain nerve centers at that place. A fullness and
enlargement there denotes strong affection, while deficiency in the
affectionate qualities manifest in the opposite direction.
Will
and self-control is shown by the relative firmness and "set" of the
lips and mouth.
Besides
the above mentioned characteristics, the student will soon perceive that there
are certain "expressions" of the lips and mouth which, although
impossible of expression in words, nevertheless may be almost instinctively
recognized by the careful observer. Lips, like eyes, tell their story plainly
to the careful and practiced observer. It is a safe rule to avoid those
whose mouths arouse an instinctive distrust in your mind. Watch closely the
mouths of people speaking to you, and you will receive many a plain signal of
danger, and many an assurance of safety. The eyes, while full of
information, often deceive those not fully versed in their secret code—but the
mouth tells its tale in plain, simple, understandable terms, signs and symbols.
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