2. DESTRUCTIVENESS.
This organ produces the propensity to exterminate and destroy. It incites the murderer to his act of crime. It renders its possessor harsh, cruel, and indifferent to the feelings of others, and is an active element in the minds of all warriors, sportsmen and pugilists.
Predominant.—With Destructiveness predominant, an individual will be harsh, cruel and severe. His language will abound with pungent sarcasms and cutting remarks. With large Combativeness, he will prefer arms as a profession. With Self-esteem and Combativeness both large, he will be distinguished for his energy and force of character. He will drive through his purposes regardless of opposition.
Large.—With Destructiveness large, and Benevolence small, an individual will be cruel, sanguinary and severe. With Secretiveness and Conscientiousness small, and Combativeness and Self-esteem large, he will be exceedingly passionate and vindictive. With such a combination, he will lose no opportunity of assailing the feelings of his opponents. If Amativeness and Adhesiveness are large, he will be attached to his family, yet will treat them often with great severity. If Combativeness and Destructiveness are small, it will require much to excite him, but when aroused, he will be vindictive to the last degree. If Benevolence is large, he will not be sanguinary or cruel; but with Combativeness moderate, will be mild and amiable in disposition, yet capable of great severity when circumstances justify it. This combination enables the surgeon to perform an operation with the requisite energy, and yet without giving unnecessary pain. With Approbativeness small, and Self-esteem, Conscientiousness and Benevolence large, he may be charitable, yet he will often give needless offence in his administrations of charity. He will destroy every thing that is not absolutely valuable.
Moderate.—With Destructiveness moderate, and Benevolence large, one will be tender-hearted, and with small Combativeness, effeminate. With moderate Benevolence, and large Self-esteem and Combativeness, he will possess sufficient severity of character to enable him to succeed in any lawful occupation. He will be naturally peaceful and opposed to harsh measures when they can be avoided, yet will not refrain from using severity when necessary. If Benevolence is large, and Combativeness and Self-esteem moderate, he will lack energy and force of mind; will easily sink under difficulties and submit quietly to aggression and imposition.
Small.—With Destructiveness small, an individual will be effeminate, and with moderate Combativeness, be very destitute of energy and force of character. He will be mild, inoffensive, and peaceable. The performance of an action that requires the infliction of much pain, will be to him nearly impossible. With Acquisitiveness moderate or large, he will have a desire to preserve and lay by every thing that is not absolutely worthless. It will give him pain to see any thing that may possibly be of service destroyed.