Practical Phrenology Simplified

by Theodore Foster

1. COMBATIVENESS.

This organ gives the desire to oppose, resist and overcome. It renders its possessor able to encounter difficulties, and to be bold and strenuous in his opposition. If not properly regulated, it leads to a desire to contradict and quarrel for the sake of opposition. It gives vigour and zeal to the pugilist and warrior.

Predominant.—When this organ predominates, the individual will be bold, disputatious and quarrelsome. In an encounter he will never be satisfied till he has obtained the mastery. He will display great nerve and determination in whatever he undertakes. With Self-esteem large, and Conscientiousness and Benevolence small, he will be extremely quarrelsome and overbearing.

Large.—With Self-esteem large, the individual will be pre-eminently bold and enterprising. If Firmness is small, he will be wavering in his views; but if Firmness is large, he will add perseverance to courage, and never give up a point while a reasonable hope of success remains. If with this combination, and Moral Sentiments small, he will be litigious and quarrelsome. If Destructiveness is small, he will be fond of disputing, but will avoid giving pain. If Destructiveness is large, and Benevolence small, he will be vindictive and cruel, and will ever be disposed to vindicate his own importance, regardless of circumstances or the rights of others. If Love of Approbation, Benevolence, Veneration and Conscientiousness are large, he will avoid all low contentions, and will direct the action of this organ to the maintenance of right and the enforcement of just opinion.

Moderate.—One with moderate Combativeness, will forbear in a contention as long as Self-esteem will allow. If his temperament is active, he may be irritable and passionate, but upon the whole, will be peaceable. If his religious feelings are strong, notwithstanding his usual distaste for opposition, he will contend strenuously for the rights of his church, and cheerfully encounter reproach for its sake. If Acquisitiveness is large, and Self-esteem small, he will allow himself to be insulted with impunity, but will resist every attack upon his property.

Small.—With Combativeness small, an individual’s character will be mild and peaceable. He will rather submit to oppression than make the requisite exertion to defend his rights. Above every thing else he will desire peace. With Self-esteem small, he will be eminently deficient in presence of mind in times of danger. He will quail under opposition, and with Cautiousness large, will be timid and cowardly. With Destructiveness large, and Benevolence small, he will be harsh and severe where there is no resentment to be feared. With Acquisitiveness large, he will be fond of acquiring by slow accumulations, rather than by bold speculations. With Domestic Feelings large, he will avoid the turbulent scenes of life, and seek refuge in quiet and retirement.

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.