A man’s face, if we can
read it aright, is generally and index to his character. We can tell what sort
of man he is by the expression of his countenance, as we can tell the species
of a shell-fish by its shell; for as a shell-fish secretes its shell, so the
soul secretes its physical face. It is we ourselves who make our faces and we
make them gradually and unconsciously to express our inner character. Character
is simply the sum total of confirmed habits; and as a habit is formed, it
slowly writes its characteristic marks on the face, and gives its own look to
the eyes. It is harder to read character in the faces of young unformed
children than in the faces of grown up men and women, though one can often
detect meanness or frankness even in the face of a child; but the older people
get, and the more fixed their habits, the easier it becomes to tell what sort
of people they are, from their faces.
Certain kinds of faces
almost anyone can read. The character is written in capitals on the face. You
cannot mistake the, and bloated face of the drunkard, the pride in the face of
the arrogant, the crafty look in the eyes of the sneak. But it takes as trained
and careful observer to read some faces, for some clever people can make their
faces like makes to hide their real selves. The word” hypocrite” Literally
means actor; and as an actor can make up his face so as to appear on the stage
a different person, so can a hypocrite. A false-hearted man may have an
apparently frank and open face; a cruel man may wear a deceptively kindly
smile; a rogue may look very’ honest at first sight. As Hamlet says, “A man may
smile and smile, and be a villain.” I remember once being introduced to an old
gentleman of most benign aspect, who appeared to be a benevolent and almost
saintly old man; yet I knew he had been guilty of several ruthless and
deliberate crimes!
But there is always
something in the face that will betray such hypocrites to an acute observer;
especially in the most expressive features, the eyes and the mouth. A look in
the eyes, the way in which he shapes his mouth, may betray the hidden meanness,
cruelty. Craftiness or selfishness that lurks behind the friendly smile and the
frank look. Certain it is that dishonesty, lust and cruelty, hones. Purity and
kindness, all leave indelible marks on the face.