How to Analyze People on Sight. Elsie Lincoln Benedict
muscles.
Constant repetition of the same kinds of thoughts or emotions finally
makes permanent changes in that part of the body which is
physiologically related to these mental processes.
The Evolution of the Jaw
The jaw is a good illustration of this alliance between the mind and
the body. Its muscles and bones are so closely allied to the pugnacity
instinct center in the brain that the slightest thought of combat causes
the jaw muscles to stiffen. Let the thought of any actual physical
encounter go through your mind and your jaw bone will automatically move
upward and outward.
After a lifetime of combat, whether by fists or words, the jaw sets
permanently a little more upward and outward--a little more like that of
the bulldog. It keeps to this combative mold, "because," says Mother
Nature, the great efficiency expert, "if you are going to call on me
constantly to stiffen that jaw I'll fix it so it will stay that way and
save myself the trouble."
Inheritance of Acquired Traits
Thus the more combative jaw, having become permanent in the man's
organism, can be passed on to his children.
Right here comes a most interesting law and one that has made possible
the science of Human Analysis:
Law of Size
_The larger any part or organ the better its equipment for carrying
out the work of that organ and the more does it tend to express itself._
Nature IS an efficiency expert and doesn't give you an oversupply of
anything without demanding that you use it.
Jaws Becoming Smaller
Our ancestors developed massive jaws as a result of constant combat.
As fast as civilization decreased the necessity for combat Nature
decreased the size of the average human jaw.
Meaning of the Big Jaw
But wherever you see a large protruding jaw you see an individual
"armed and engined," as Kipling says, for some kind of fighting. The
large jaw always goes with a combative nature, whether it is found on a
man or a woman, a child, a pugilist or a minister.
Exhibit A--The Irishman
The large jaw, therefore, is seen to be both a result and a cause of
certain things. As the inheritance of a fighting ancestor it is the
result of millions of years of fighting in prehistoric times, and, like
any other over-developed part or organ, it has an intense urge to
express itself. This inherent urge is what makes the owner of that jaw
"fight at the drop of the hat," and often have "a chip on his shoulder."
Natural Selection
Thus, because every external characteristic is the result of natural
laws, and chiefly of natural selection, the vital traits of any creature
can be read from his externals. Every student of biology, anatomy,
anthropology, ethnology or psychology is familiar with these facts.
Built to Fit
Man's organism has developed, altered, improved and evolved "down
through the slow revolving years" with one instinctive aim--successful
reaction to its environment. Every part has been laboriously constructed
to that sole end. Because of this its functions are marked as clearly
upon it as those of a grain elevator, a steamship or a piano.
Survival of the Fittest
Nature has no accidents, she wastes no material and everything has a
purpose. If you put up a good fight to live she will usually come to
your rescue and give you enough of whatever is needed to tide you over.
If you don't, she says you are not fit to people the earth and lets you
go without a pang. Thus she weeds out all but the strong--and evolution
marches on.
Causes of Racial Characteristics
This inherent potentiality for altering the organism to meet the
demands of the environment is especially noticeable in races and is the
reason for most racial differences.
Differences in environment--climate, altitude and topography
necessitated most of these physical differentiations which today enable
us to know at a glance whether a man belongs to the white race, the
yellow race, or the black race. The results of these differentiations
and modifications will be told in the various chapters of this book.
Types Earlier than Races
The student of Human Analysis reads the disposition and nature of
every individual with ease regardless of whether that individual be an
American, a Frenchman, a Kaffir or a Chinaman, because Human Analysis
explains those fundamental traits which run through every race, color
and nationality, according to the externals which always go with those
traits.
Five Biological Types
_Human Analysis differs from every other system of character analysis
in that it classifies man, for the first time, into five types according
to his biological evolution._
It deals with man in the light of the most recent scientific
discoveries. It estimates each individual according to his "human"
qualities rather than his "character" or so-called "moral" qualities. In
other words, it takes his measure as a human being and determines from
his externals his chances for success in the world of today.
These Rules Work
Every rule in this book is based on scientific data, has been proved
to be accurate by investigations and surveys of all kinds of people in
all parts of the world.
These rules do not work merely _part_ of the time. They work _all_ the
time, under all conditions and apply to every individual of every race,
every color, every country, every community and every family.
Through this latest human science you can learn to read people as easily
as you read books--if you will take the little time and pains to learn
the rules which compose your working alphabet.
Do What We Want to Do
It is easy to know what an individual will do under most circumstances
because every human being does what he _wants_ to do in the