This organ 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.
MORAL SENTIMENTS.
1. CONSCIENTIOUSNESS.
This organ views all actions in their moral aspect. It operates as an internal monitor, prescribing to its possessor the claims of truth and duty. Its power, however, does not enable it to decide upon what is abstractly just or unjust. This is affected by the character of the other organs with which it is combined. A person with large conscientiousness, and large Selfish Propensities, will consider an action just, which another, with the same amount of Conscientiousness, and smaller propensities, will consider unjust. This organ is essential to the formation of a truly philosophic mind, especially in moral investigations. It produces the desire of discovering the tact of recognising it when discovered, and that perfect reliance on its invincible supremacy which gives at once dignity and peace to the mind.
Predominant.—When this organ predominates, the individual looks always and only for truth, and receives it from whatever source it comes. He is thus disposed to regulate his conduct by the wisest sentiments of justice, which imparts an earnestness, integrity and directness in his manner, that leaves no room to doubt of his sincerity. He desires to act justly from the love of justice, unbiased by fear, interest or any sinister motive. When the actions have been contrary to the dictates of this organ, it produces remorse, repentance, a sense of guilt and demerit.
Large.—With this organ large, and the Selfish Propensities moderate, one will be eminently just and honest in all his dealings. He can never be brought to sacrifice duty to expediency. With large Firmness and Combativeness, he will be particularly firm, bold and decided on all questions of moral duty. He will never shrink from the advocacy of right, or from sustaining the defenceless from the unjust attacks of their enemies. If with this combination, Destructiveness is large, he will be inclined to severely censure any trickery or dishonesty in others; and if Causality is not large, he will consider himself the standard of truth and justice, by which all others must be judged.