Physiognomy —— Or, the Corresponding Analogy Between the Conformation of the Features and the Ruling Passions of the Mind

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ISBN: 9781330377093 出版年：2016 页码：319 J C Lavater Forgotten Books

M has been asserted by thousands, that though there may be some truth in physiognomy, still it never can be a science. These assertions will be repeated, how clearly soever their objections may be answered, and however little they may have to reply. Physiognomy is as capable of becoming a science as any one of the sciences, mathematics excepted. It is a branch of the physical art, and includes theology and the belles lettres. Like these, it may to a certain extent be reduced to rule, and acquire an appropriate character by which it may be taught. Whenever truth or knowledge is explained by fixed principles, it becomes scientific, so far as it can be im parted by words, lines, rules, and definitions. The question will stand simply thus whether it be possible to explain the undeniable striking differences which exist between human faces and forms, not by obscure and confused conceptions, but by certain characters.