SELFISH SENTIMENTS.
1. FIRMNESS.
The tendency of this organ is to give constancy and perseverance to the other powers, and aids their activity and force. Its impulses are sometimes mistaken for will. This, however, is not correct, as the action of this organ urges only to a continuance in the same purpose, the same mode of thinking, and the same cause of action. It adds force to resolution, and is the active element in fortitude, perseverance and endurance. With a strong endowment of this organ, persons find it difficult to enter readily into the feelings of others, or to feel new emotions suddenly.
Predominant.—With Firmness predominant, a person will exhibit unyielding pertinacity of character throughout all the vicissitudes of life. No misfortune will appal him. His fortitude of character will enable him to rise superior to every affliction. Having once commenced a pursuit, he will never relinquish it till compelled to do so by the force of circumstances. His opinions will seldom change, and his whole appearance and manner will exhibit the man of firmness and decision. He may be a good master, but he will be an unwilling servant.
Large.—With this organ large, a person will be of an unmovable character, firm in his resolutions, and constant in his principles. He attends little to exhortations or examples, his conduct is uniform, and his exertions may be calculated on in all the various situations of life. With Combativeness and Self-esteem large, he will never relinquish a pursuit while a hope of success remains, and with but moderate Cautiousness and Causality, will be deaf to all remonstrance or advice. With large Benevolence and Conscientiousness, he will seek for independence, yet be just and benevolent. An attack upon his opinions will increase the tenacity with which he maintains them. With large Self-esteem, he will be distinguished for presence of mind in times of danger.
Moderate.—With Firmness moderate, a person will continue constant only in those purposes in which he is aided by the other organs. If Conscientiousness is large, and the Selfish Propensities small, he will continue inflexibly just through all temptations of life. If Acquisitiveness is large, he will never waver in his pursuit of riches. If Self-esteem is small, and Love of Approbation large, he will be entirely dependent on the will of his associates. It will be quite impossible for him to have an opinion of his own.
Small.—With Firmness small, a person cannot be said to have a will of his own. He will follow the last impulse he receives, and without strength to resist, will be an easy instrument of every one he meets. The actions of his life will take their character from the other organs, and he will thus be constant in the gratification of predominant dispositions. With large Acquisitiveness, he will be constant in his efforts to become rich, but he will be unsteady in the means he employs. With large Benevolence, Combativeness and Destructiveness, he will be now all kindness, and anon passionate, violent and outrageous. With an active temperament, he will enter on his pursuits with great avidity, and follow them up with commendable zeal, until perhaps, near their accomplishment, and then fly away to something else. This state of mind is increased by great Cautiousness, and diminished by large Self-esteem.
2. SELF-ESTEEM.
This organ produces the feeling of individual personality, or of personal identity. It causes the feelings of self-love, self-respect, self-complacency. It imparts to the individual a high opinion of himself, and of every thing pertaining or belonging to himself. The most insignificant object, when in the possession of an individual with this feeling strong, assumes a value and an importance, in his own estimation, which nothing could have given it before. To such a person, the idea of self is perpetually before him. Let an idea be suggested, and his first consideration will be as to how it will affect his own condition. It gives a cold and repulsive appearance to the individual, and renders him particularly obnoxious to others having the same organization. It renders one averse to submission, and gives an inclination to assume the lead. When properly regulated, it adds dignity to the whole demeanour, and gives a nobleness to the character which effectually prevents any action of meanness or servility.
Predominant.—With this organ predominant, an individual will be proud, haughty and supercilious. Whatever he possesses, he considers superior to that belonging to any one else. In his judgment and actions he scorns all advice, and looks down with contempt on his fellow-men. He admits no dictation. He never submits to advice, but assumes the lead on all occasions. Any thing like familiarity revolts him. His whole appearance indicates assurance and presumption. When excited, he is disposed to go to the greatest extremes. “He will have many enemies, and will be regardless of the frown or the favour of men; intractable, domineering, repulsive, conceited, jealous, austere, he considers himself nearly infallible.”