The characters of Theophrastus / translated from the Greek, and illustrated by physiognomical sketches. To which are subjoined the Greek text, with notes, and hints on the individual varieties of human nature. By Francis Howell.

  • Theophrastus.
Date:
1824
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: The characters of Theophrastus / translated from the Greek, and illustrated by physiognomical sketches. To which are subjoined the Greek text, with notes, and hints on the individual varieties of human nature. By Francis Howell. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    because we shall thereby be the better disposed to exercise a wise forbearance towards the unhappy subjects of this sort of malign possession; and also gain skill in the management of the disease. Or if the case be our own, such a knowledge of its nature will greatly tend to dissipate those irritating illusions which are the unreal, and yet, in most instances, the only real objects of splenetic disquietudes. Under the influence of such an acquaintance with our phy- sical constitution, we shall learn to whisper to our- selves,—‘* This is my infirmity ;—let me make as little show of the feebleness of my nature as may be ;'—we shall be induced to defer, for an hour, the expression of our discontent, (and the delay of gratification is often all that wisdom demands, )—when we know that a stomach-full of bland aliment will remove from our view much, ‘if not the whole of the blackness of the offence under which we are suffering. When better motives fail us, considerations such as these may often avail to repress, at least the expression of evil tempers; and thus preserve the atmosphere of home from the taint of the most deleterious of all the gases, —the breath of strife. The gastric acrimony of an infirm constitution is more tolerable when it vents itself in instantaneous flashes of wrath, than when it works inwardly,—producing harboured, malignant _ Surmisings: out of the heart, when thus envenomed, come murders, envyings, backbitings, seditions, and every evil work.