SELFISH SENTIMENTS.
Thetendency of this organ is to give constancy and perseverance to the other powers, and aids their activity and force. Its impulses are sometimes mistaken for will. This, however, is not correct, as the action of this organ urgesonly to a continuancein the same purpose, the same mode of thinking, and the same cause of action. It adds force to resolution, and is the active element in fortitude, perseverance and endurance. With a strong endowment of this organ, persons find it difficult to enter readily into the feelings of others, or to feel new emotions suddenly.
Predominant.—With Firmness predominant, a person will exhibit unyielding pertinacity of character throughout all the vicissitudes of life. No misfortune will appal him. His fortitude of character will enable him to rise superior to every affliction. Having once commenced a pursuit, he will never relinquish it till compelled to do so by the force of circumstances. His opinions will seldom change, and his whole appearance and manner will exhibit the man of firmness and decision. He may be a good master, but he will be an unwilling servant.
Large.—With this organ large, a person will be of an unmovable character, firm in his resolutions, and constant in his principles. He attends little to exhortations or examples, his conduct is uniform, and his exertions may be calculated on in all the various situations of life. With Combativeness and Self-esteem large, he will never relinquish a pursuit while a hope of success remains, and with but moderate Cautiousness and Causality, will be deaf to all remonstrance or advice. With large Benevolence and Conscientiousness, he will seek for independence, yet be just and benevolent. An attack upon his opinions will increase the tenacity with which he maintains them. With large Self-esteem, he will be distinguished for presence of mind in times of danger.
Moderate.—With Firmness moderate, a person will continue constant only in those purposes in which he is aided by the other organs. If Conscientiousness is large, and the Selfish Propensities small, he will continue inflexibly just through all temptations of life. If Acquisitiveness is large, he will never waver in his pursuit of riches. If Self-esteem is small, and Love of Approbation large, he will be entirely dependent on the will of his associates. It will be quite impossible for him to have an opinion of his own.
Small.—With Firmness small, a person cannot be said to have a will of his own. He will follow the last impulse he receives, and without strength to resist, will be an easy instrument of every one he meets. The actions of his life will take their character from the other organs, and he will thus be constant in the gratification of predominant dispositions. With large Acquisitiveness, he will be constant in his efforts to become rich, but he will be unsteady in the means he employs. With large Benevolence, Combativeness and Destructiveness, he will be now all kindness, and anon passionate, violent and outrageous. With an active temperament, he will enter on his pursuits with great avidity, and follow them up with commendable zeal, until perhaps, near their accomplishment, and then fly away to something else. This state of mind is increased by great Cautiousness, and diminished by large Self-esteem.
Thisorgan produces the feeling of individual personality, or of personal identity. It causes the feelings of self-love, self-respect, self-complacency. It imparts to the individual a high opinion of himself, and of every thing pertaining or belonging to himself. The most insignificant object, when in the possession of an individual with this feeling strong, assumes a value and an importance, in his own estimation, which nothing could have given it before. To such a person, the idea of self is perpetually before him. Let an idea be suggested, and his first consideration will be as to how it will affect his own condition. It gives a cold and repulsive appearance to the individual, and renders him particularly obnoxious to others having the same organization. It renders one averse to submission, and gives an inclination to assume the lead. When properly regulated, it adds dignity to the whole demeanour, and gives a nobleness to the character which effectually prevents any action of meanness or servility.
Predominant.—With this organ predominant, an individual will be proud, haughty and supercilious. Whatever he possesses, he considers superior to that belonging to any one else. In his judgment and actions he scorns all advice, and looks down with contempt on his fellow-men. He admits no dictation. He never submits to advice, but assumes the lead on all occasions. Any thing like familiarity revolts him. His whole appearance indicates assurance and presumption. When excited, he is disposed to go to the greatest extremes. “He will have many enemies, and will be regardless of the frown or the favour of men; intractable, domineering, repulsive, conceited, jealous, austere, he considers himself nearly infallible.”
Large.—With this organ large, the individual is endowed with that degree of self-complacency which enables him to apply his powers to the best advantage, in every situation in which he may be placed. With Combativeness and Firmness large, and Destructiveness moderate, he is eminently qualified to sustain himself in any situation in which he may be placed. With this organization, he will be bold, energetic, persevering, and surpassingly independent. No difficulties will appal him, and no force of circumstances of an ordinary character, will deter him from the prosecution of his designs. With large Conscientiousness, he will be honourable and high-minded in the extreme. With large Conscientiousness, Veneration, Ideality, Benevolence and Causality, he will rather suffer death than commit a dishonourable action. If Conscientiousness, Benevolence and Veneration are deficient, he will be dogmatic, imperious and haughty, and will be constantly striving for power, which, when obtained, he invariably abuses. If an author, with Ideality, Language and Comparison large, he will write in a sustained and lofty style, never descending to a common-place expression. If his Domestic Feelings are large, with Combativeness and Destructiveness large, he will be tenderly attached to his family, and take great pride and interest in them, yet will require from them implicit obedience. With Cautiousness and Causality large, he will be induced to seek advice, but only for the purpose of enabling him to form his own opinion. With Cautiousness large, he will often appear disconcerted and diffident, in consequence of his anxiety about matters likely to affect him. With Firmness, Secretiveness and Imitation large, a person will never act in a subordinate station. Let his situation in life be what it may, he will always be a leader.
Moderate.—With Self-esteem moderate, and with a favourable developement of other organs, one will have sufficient self-respect for the ordinary occupations of life, but he will never be able to put himself forward in any great undertaking, or to command that general influence and esteem as he would do with a larger developement of this organ. With Cautiousness, Love of Approbation and Veneration large, he will be humble, timid and abashed in the presence of superiors or strangers. He will lack the requisite independence to vindicate his own opinion, and will be too ready to give way to that of others. With this organization, and large Intellect, he may possess great abilities, but for want of self-confidence requisite to enable him to make his way through opposition, he will be much underrated. It will give him pain to be obliged to trespass on the attention of others, and he will suffer greatly from a feeling of unworthiness. With small Cautiousness, Firmness, Combativeness and Destructiveness, he will be enterprising and persevering, yet will lack that force of character requisite for important undertakings. With large Veneration, Conscientiousness and Intellect, he will be respectful towards others, and will not be deficient in respect for himself.
Small.—With Self-esteem small, one will be humble and submissive. No matter how exalted may be the character of his intellect, a feeling of unworthiness will accompany all his actions. He will ever associate with inferiors. His language will be trifling and common-place. Let his talents be what they may, he will never rise from an inferior station.
Thisorgan excites the desire of notice, praise, distinction and recognition. It is an active element in the mind of the office seeker, the soldier, the actor, the statesman, &c. It inspires the fop, and sustains the buffoon. It causes a desire to be approved as well as noticed, but it prefers censure to inattention. When properly regulated, it induces amiability of disposition.
Predominant.—An individual with this organ predominant, will be grossly vain and fantastical. Every action of his life will be calculated to excite attention. He will appear to think as though the world had little else to do than to be attentive to his actions.
Large.—With this organ large, a person will be distinguished for the regard he places upon his character. The disapprobation of his fellow-men will be displeasing to him in a high degree. In his intercourse with society, he will be polite and courteous, avoiding every thing harsh, austere or repulsive. If Conscientiousness and Intellect are deficient, he will be a braggart, and will often speak of his feats and performances. If thrown into evil company, he will be foremost in all deeds of wickedness. With Self-esteem large, and Causality moderate or small, will be exceedingly proud and vain, will use much ceremony, and will be very affected in his manner and conversation; and if Ideality and Individuality are large, will be exceedingly fond of dress and finical decorations. With Adhesiveness large, and Firmness moderate or small, one will be influenced by the opinions of his friends and associates, and will give way to them in opposition to the dictates of his own judgment. With this combination, and Destructiveness and Combativeness large, will get easily offended, and construe the least inattention from his friends into dislike or insult. With Cautiousness, Secretiveness, Veneration and Conscientiousness large, or very large, and Self-esteem small, will be very desirous to please, and will evince great anxiety to carry out this object; will feel great respect for superiors in age, talents, &c.; will entertain a feeling of his own inferiority, and also of reserve, which will have the effect of making him timid and bashful. With Combativeness, Destructiveness, Self-esteem, Firmness, Ideality, Individuality, Eventuality and Language large, and Comparison and Causality large, will possess talents for an exalted order, and an ardent ambition of fame. This combination will enable him to distinguish himself for intellectual greatness.
Moderate.—With this organ but moderately developed, a person will by no means be insensible to the opinions of the world, yet, if Self-esteem and Conscientiousness are large, he will not allow its opinions to force him from the path of duty. If Adhesiveness is large, the opinion of his friends will have much influence over him. If Firmness, Self-esteem and Combativeness are large, he will be austere and independent, doing what his own feelings dictate, regardless of the frowns or favours of his fellow-men.
Small.—With Love of Approbation small, one will almost be insensible to the feelings of shame, and will be nearly regardless of public opinion. With small Ideality, he will be slovenly in his dress and appearance.
Thisorgan is the parent of fear. It urges its possessor to use every precaution possible for his individual safety. It is excited by every object that has power to affect his condition, or the condition of the objects of his other feelings. It renders one prudent, circumspect and judicious.
Predominant.—When this organ predominates, the individual will be timid, irresolute and undecided. He will never by any accident give way to a flow of ideas. For the most insignificant undertakings he will prepare with the greatest precaution, and will never form a connexion without subjecting it to the most rigorous examination. If Destructiveness is large, and Hope not more than moderate, he will be liable to commit suicide.
Large.—With Cautiousness large, a person will be habitually careful, cautious and prudent in all his transactions in life. He will never take a step without due consideration. If Self-esteem, Combativeness and Destructiveness are large, he will be wary and prudent in entering upon an undertaking, but when he has commenced, he will prosecute it with great energy and boldness.
Moderate.—With but a moderate developement of this organ, and with large Hope and Self-esteem, one will be habitually reckless and imprudent; but if these organs are small, and Causality and Comparison large, he will not lack discretion in ordinary occupations of life, or in cases where his other organs create a lively interest. If Acquisitiveness is large, he will be prudent in business transactions. If the Domestic Feelings are strong, he will be anxious respecting the welfare of his family; and if Love of Approbation is strong, he will be particularly careful in whatever regards his own reputation.
Small.—With Cautiousness small, a person will act according to the dictates of his other faculties, unrestrained by timidity or fear. He will be rash, precipitate and perfectly regardless of the results of his conduct. If with a sanguine temperament, and Hope moderate or large, his disposition will be gay and cheerful, and will be too much engrossed with the present.