Mentality

CHAPTER 29

EXPRESSION

Man expresses with his face what his mind thinks. The reason for that is because his senses are located in his head, of which his mouth, nose, eyes and ears are a part.

The utilization of the senses necessitates muscular movement which is caused by suction and pressure.

Innumerable microscopic muscles controlled by the mind force contractions and expansions which develop outward facial expressions.

The various combinations of facial contortions caused by the mixed desires of the senses plainly show the thoughts and stabilized characteristics caused by fear, anger, egotism, selfishness, gluttony, or self-denial, kindness and happiness.

Recalling what I have already said in my book MANLIFE: “The shape of the chin, the size of the nose, the curl of the lip, the gleam of the eye, the lobe of the ear, the set of the cheek and different lines of the face, combine to show what the brain of man and his forbear have been thinking about. No man can hide behind his own face.

“Each thought either expands or contracts a muscle of the face and continual thinking along any particular line leaves a distinct mark which grows deeper and more prominent as time goes on.

“One who has made a study of the subject can read in faces the trend of what the owners have been thinking about during their lives.

“Expression is reflected to some extent from the faces of people with whom we associate. Two people living together and thinking alike and looking at each other a great deal for several years will tend toward the same facial expression.

“Peoples of different countries living and acting together according to set national rules and regulations and adjusting their lives to their own peculiar habits and customs and forever thinking along the same lines acquire their own distinct racial expressions. One can tell their nationality by looking at their faces.

“One may be able to deceive his neighbor, or one may be able to deceive himself, but one will never be able to deceive his own face.

“Every thought, good or bad, serious or trivial, strong or weak, constructive or destructive, noble or ignoble, inspiring or idiotic, leaves its impression upon the face, and for those who can read that language the character of man is as plain as if a record of it were printed in bold black type across his countenance.”

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