HOW TO READ HUMAN NATURE/PART 19
CHAPTER XIX
MISCELLANEOUS SIGNS
While
the subject of hands may be thought to belong to the study of Palmistry, with
which we have no concern in this book, nevertheless we think that we should
include herein a brief reference to the several classes of the hand as
indicative of the outer form of mental states. That the shape of the hand often
reveals information regarding the character of its owner is admitted by the
best authorities on the subject. Many persons who discard the theories of
Palmistry still regard the subject of the shape and meaning of hands as apart
from that study, and believe that an understanding of the indications of the
several classes of hands is important to the students of Human Nature.
There
are seven general types of hands, viz: (1) The Spatulate; (2) the Square; (3)
the Artistic; (4) the Elementary; (5) the Mixed; (6) the Philosophic; and (7)
the Psychic. Following we give a brief recital of the qualities held to be
indicated by each.
Fig. 23
SPATULATE HAND
In
Fig. 23, we see the Spatulate Hand, the special peculiarities of which are the
straight, smooth fingers and the "splay" tips. This type of hand is
held to indicate an active, energetic nature, that is satisfied only when it is
employed and doing something useful. This hand is eminently
"practical," and its owner cares very little for art, poetry, or
literature.
Fig. 24
SQUARE HAND
In
Fig. 24, we see the Square Hand, the special peculiarities of which are its
general "squareness" of the palm, and generally of the finger-tips.
This also is a useful hand, and its owner is amenable to authority, and makes a
good employee or helper. It indicates a quiet, peaceable disposition, and its
owner is usually found to be careful, orderly, and dependable—the sense
of order being especially strong.
Fig. 25
ARTISTIC HAND
In
Fig. 25, we see the Artistic Hand, the special peculiarities of which are the
suppleness and softness of the hand; its symmetrical form; and its long,
tapering fingers. Its owners are of the poetic and artistic nature, with a taste
for beautiful and refined things, artistic environment, bright and witty
speech, and "choice" things generally. The Qualities of Ideality and
Words are apt to be well developed in these cases, and "the artistic
temperament" is found in its full development here.
Fig. 26
ELEMENTARY HAND
In
Fig. 26, we see the Elementary Hand, the special peculiarities of which are its
short, thick fingers, and its thick heavy palm. Its owners are "of the
earth, earthy," and have but very little imagination and fine taste.
Fig. 27
PHILOSOPHIC HAND
In
Fig. 27, we have the Philosophic Hand, the special peculiarities of which are
its large thumb, rounded finger-tips, and its projecting joints. Its owners are
thinkers, investigators, and reasoners along practical lines, and are generally
skeptical and inclined to demand proof of anything and everything.
Fig. 28
PSYCHIC HAND
In
Fig. 28, we see the Psychic Hand, the special peculiarities of which are the
extreme slenderness of the entire hand, and the long thin, pointed fingers. Its
owners have Mysticism highly developed, and incline toward the mysterious,
supernatural, occult, and imaginative, and are generally of an extremely
nervous, sensitive nature.
Very
few hands adhere strictly to any one of these several types, but are more or
less composite or "mixed." In such cases the characteristics of each
type mingle and blend, and must be interpreted accordingly. The following
peculiarities are also noted by the authorities:
The Thumb. The
thumb is divided into three parts, each indicating a certain quality, as
follows: (1) the top part or division, which indicates Will; (2) the second or
middle part, which indicates Logic; (3) the "ball" or fat lower
portion, which indicates Passion. The comparative size of either of these parts
indicates the strength of its particular qualities.
The Fingers. Hard fingers
indicate work, activity, and energy. Soft fingers indicate love of ease,
disinclination for work, laziness. Very hard hands denote heaviness and general
stupidity, also gross tastes and undeveloped nature. Smooth fingers denote
artistic tastes, etc.; while knotted fingers denote philosophic thought and
argument, orderliness and taste for material facts and things. Short
fingers denote quick judgment and impatience of detail; while long fingers
denote a love of detail, elaboration and "fussiness." Spatulate
fingers indicate tidiness, usefulness, and a desire to be doing useful work.
The Palm. Hardness
of the palm, as of the fingers, denotes activity, energy and work; while
softness denotes love of ease, laziness, etc. Wideness of the palm denotes
generosity, broad-mindedness, etc.; while a narrow palm denotes the reverse.
Firm palms generally denote the Motive Temperament; while soft, flabby palms
denote the Vital temperament.
THE WALK
The
study of the Walk as an index of character is favored by many authorities.
There are three general types of walks, viz (1) the long stride, in regular
time; (2) the short, quick, and somewhat jerky step; (3) the short but regular
step.
Those
who walk with a long stride generally take a broad view of things, but if their
walk is also slow they are apt to lack energy and push. The short, quick
step denotes activity, but small ideas and often pettiness. The combination of
the long stride and the quick movement is held to indicate both large ideas and
activity. A draggy, shuffling walk is held to indicate a careless, shiftless
nature; and a springy movement is indicative of mental activity. A mincing walk
is held to denote "finickiness," affectation, and general
artificiality; while a careless walk denotes a disregard for appearances and a
general unconventional nature. Those who walk in a straight line, direct to the
object they seek, are apt to move in the same way in other affairs of life;
while those who zig-zag from side to side display the same lack of directness
in business affairs and other activities of life. In the same way, one who
makes short-cuts across corners, etc., is held to have the same tendency in
active affairs.
Approbativeness
shows itself in a strutting walk; while Self-Esteem manifests in a dignified
carriage. Deficient, Self-Esteem shows itself in a cringing walk; while strong
Reverence produces a respectful, deferential carriage. Approbativeness causes a
slight swagger, with a defiant carriage of the head, while Combativeness
manifests in a "get out of my way" pushing walk, the head being
slightly lowered as if to "butt" a way through. Cunning manifests in
a foxy, sly walk; while Cautiousness shows in a timid, hesitating step; and
Acquisitiveness in a general carefulness and watchfulness as manifested in
gait. A combination of Cunning, Cautiousness and Acquisitiveness, which is
quite common, manifests in a light, stealthy step, giving the suggestion of
"tip-toeing," and in extreme cases may show even the
"snaky" gliding motion from side to side, in noiseless progression.
A
little study and observation will convince anyone that the walk and carriage of
an individual correspond very closely to his general character. And just as we
may recognize one's mental characteristics when reproduced in outer form in the
walk; so may we deduce the existence of mental characteristics in a stranger,
from the outer form of his walk and carriage. The study of walk and carriage is
very interesting, and will repay one for the time and trouble expended upon it.
One may practice by observing the walk of an individual whose character is
known, for the purpose of seeing the outer form of these characteristics; and
also by observing the walk of those whose characters are unknown, and
endeavoring to form an idea of their mental states and characteristics by means
of their peculiarities of gait and carriage. One will be astonished at the
proficiency attained in a short time by a little practice along these lines.
VOICE
The
Voice is a great revealer of character. Prof. O. S. Fowler says: "Whatever
makes a noise, from the deafening roar of sea, cataract, and whirlwind's mighty
crash, through all forms of animal life, to the sweet and gentle voice of
woman, makes a sound which agrees perfectly with the maker's character. Thus
the terrific roar of the lion, and the soft cooing of the dove, correspond
exactly with their respective dispositions; while the rough and powerful bellow
of the bull, the fierce yell of the tiger, the coarse, guttural moan of the
hyena, the swinish grunt, the sweet warblings of birds, in contrast with
the raven's croak and the owl's hoot, each correspond perfectly with their
respective characteristics. And this law holds equally true of man. Hence human
intonations are as superior to brutal as human character exceeds animal.
Accordingly, the peculiarities of all human beings are expressed in their
voices and mode of speaking. Coarse-grained and powerful animal organizations
have a coarse, harsh and grating voice, while in exact proportion as persons
become refined and elevated mentally, will their tones of voice become
correspondingly refined and perfected."
Prof.
L. A. Vaught says: "Affectionate voices always come from the backhead.
Heavy, thunderous voices always come from the sidehead. Egotistical voices come
from the crown of the head. Kind, respectful and straightforward voices come
from the top-head."
A
clear, distinct utterance is held to indicate clear, logical thought, while
indistinct, confused, slurring utterance is indicative of careless, illogical
and hasty thought processes. Sharp and shrill notes denote nervous tension and
lack of restraint, as witness the voice of the shrew or the hysterical
woman, or the high-strung nervous man. Self-restraint is shown by calm, deep,
forceful utterances. Slowness in delivery denotes slow, deliberate mental
processes, while quickness, and "snappiness" in speech, denotes
quick, active habits of thought. The cheerful voice of the optimistic person,
and the rasping whine of the chronic pessimist, are well known. The voice of
self-reliance, and the voice of fear and lack of self-esteem, are easily
recognized. The strident, overconfident note of the boaster and vain-glorious
person, is easily distinguished from that of the modest, careful, reliable
person.
All
the several mental Qualities manifest in the voice, in tone, pitch or feeling.
The Emotive Qualities give the affectionate voice; Self-Esteem gives the
confident voice; Approbativeness gives the voice of affectation and conceit;
Combativeness gives the "let me alone" tone; Destructiveness gives
the "get out of my way" note; Cunning and Acquisitiveness give the
tone of deceit and flattery; and so on, through the entire scale. In studying voices
it will help you to ask "What Quality or Qualities produce this
voice?" in each case. Study the voices of those whose characteristics you
know, and then apply the experience to others whose characteristics are
unknown.
LAUGHS
Laughter
is full of the expression of character. One may often accurately determine the
character of a person whose face is not seen or known. A hearty laugh is
indicative of sympathy, companionship and general sociability, as well as a
well developed sense of humor. A giggle is indicative of pettiness, trifling
and general mental light-weight. The repressed laugh shows self-control and
often caution and cunning, the tone denoting the difference. The vulgar
"haw-haw" denotes a correspondingly gross nature. The peculiar
shrill, rasping, parrot-like laugh of the courtesan is typical, and when ever
heard should act as a note of warning. It is difficult to state in words the
various qualities of the laugh, but each is distinctive and well expresses the
Quality causing it. It may be said that each and every mental Quality
has its corresponding note in the laugh, which note may be learned and
recognized by a little practice and actual observation.
THE HAND-SHAKE
The
manner of shaking hands is indicative of the characteristics of the individual.
Handshakes may be divided into three general classes, viz, (1) the hearty
handshake, which indicates good-feeling, earnestness, and interest; (2) the
mechanical handshake, which denotes indifference, lack of feeling, and lack of
interest; and (3) the selfish handshake, which denotes cunning, heartlessness,
and desire and disposition to take advantage of the other party. There is a
"something" in the handshake which is almost impossible to express in
words, but which is recognized instinctively by those having Human Nature well
developed. It is more of a "feeling" of certain Qualities manifested
by the other person. A little thought and attention paid to this subject will
tend to develop this recognition on the part of one deficient in it. One may,
with a little practice, learn to distinguish between the honest and the
dishonest; the moral and the immoral; the active and the passive; the energetic
and the slothful; the grasp of good-fellowship, and that of superciliousness;
the friendly and the antagonistic; the candid and the deceitful; and all the
other various kinds of handshakes. Mental states manifest in outer form in
handshakes as in many other physical actions and appearances.
First
study the several Qualities in their inner aspect, and then learn to
distinguish the various outer forms of each. From the inner proceed to the
outer, and having learned the way you will be able to retrace your steps from
the outer to the inner in the case of other persons. The principle once
grasped, the rest is all a matter of practice and experience.
FINIS.
END
OF THIS BOOK.
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