Everybody sums up the faces of his friends and of the people he meets. It is a habit we all have. But most of us are apt to classify these faces into groups according to whether the possessors are good-looking, ordinary or supremely ugly. We say to ourselves, "Isn't So-and-so charming," or alternatively, "How positively plain is So-and-so."

As a matter of fact, the degree of beauty expressed in an individual's face ought to count for very little. What ought to count is the character which his or her features reveal. Let it be said quite definitely that faces indicate character more accurately than any other physical property of an individual. A person can change his voice and he can check his actions, but he cannot alter his features for more than a second at a time, and then only superficially.

Thus it comes about that faces are definite indications of character, and these indications are fairly easy to read, once the rules are learned. Of course, all such things as accidental blemishes, such as scars and broken noses, must be ignored at the outset.

First, let us take the general shape of the face.

THE SHAPE OF THE FACE.—There can be thousands of different shapes, but the normal is shown by Fig. 1, where the width across the forehead is more than across the chin. The forehead, the nose and the rest of the face should be about equal in length.

Add to the width across the forehead and you have a brainy person, a clear thinker, a person whose opinions are worth considering. Of course, an excess of width in this place suggests some mental instability.

Fig. 2 shows an entirely different type. It may belong to a jolly person who is excellent company; but do not go to him for sound advice. There is not enough length of forehead, nor width of forehead, to house a superabundance of brains.

Fig. 3 introduces us to a ponderous type, slow-thinking, fond of food, and with animal instincts lurking in the background of his make-up.

Fig. 4 reveals a long face, narrow for its width. This belongs to a person who is limited in vision, and who can be very awkward at times. Such an individual will find it very hard to agree with others, especially in business matters. He may be deep and more often than not, he is a rather sad companion.

THE NOSE.—Fig. 1 shows the normal nose, betokening an average character.

Fig. 2 is too rounded at the tip. Force of character is lacking.

Fig. 3 reveals a drooping line between the tip of the nose and the upper lip. This stands for a character that loves amusements and is apt to neglect the real things of life.

Fig. 4 gives a pronounced, fleshy curl where the nose joins the face. This is a sign that the possessor is a clear thinker, a leader of others, an intelligent person.

Fig. 5 shows a thin, pointed nose. The possessor is, probably, of a refined nature, but he or she is apt to be lacking in sympathy, even cruel.

Fig. 6 depicts a curved ridge. This is the nose of a person who lacks a refined nature. He may be jolly and humorous, but certainly not actuated by the highest ideals. Many noses of this shape are the result of an accident, which, of course, does not count.

A long nose indicates cautiousness, watchfulness, and often timidity.

A prominent nose that stands well out from the face shows a desire to observe and examine things, without the interference of others.

A fleshy tip to the nose displays a kindly nature, and a love of ease.

A short, small nose tells of conceit and a lack of sympathy for others.

A turned-up nose means that the possessor is a busybody, one who cannot keep a secret, but may be kind and generous.

THE EYES.—Large eyes denote love of talking and the ability to learn languages.

Small eyes denote secrecy and close-mindedness.

Full, dark eyes denote love of the opposite sex.

Truthful eyes are set straight in the head.

Untruthful eyes slope towards the nose.

Eyes that slope downwards from the nose are cruel and deceitful.

Eyes set widely apart denote breadth of mind.

Eyes set close together denote narrow-mindedness.

THE CHEEKS.—Full, rounded cheeks denote sociability and a love of friends.

Thin cheeks denote those who prefer their own company.

Fullness in lower part of cheek denotes love of eating and drinking.

A moderate fullness denotes hospitality.

High cheekbones show that the possessor is very methodical. He or she is likely to interfere in other people's business.

THE FOREHEAD.—Prominent brows denote a practical disposition.

Fullness in center of forehead denotes a good memory for dates and events.

A broad forehead denotes a humorous disposition.

A rounded forehead denotes musical ability; this is usually accompanied by curved eyebrows and wavy hair.

THE MOUTH AND LIPS.—When upper lip is deeply grooved down the center, it denotes modesty and refinement.

A plain upper lip, boldness and forwardness.

A long upper lip denotes self-esteem and self-control.

Redness and fullness in center of lip, love and passion for opposite sex.

Fullness at either side shows love of children and animals.

A mouth that displays the teeth when smiling denotes love of approbation and attention.

A full, red, well-developed lower lip denotes a kindly, sympathetic disposition.

Thin lips denote a hard, selfish, and unsympathetic nature. The same with straight lips.

THE CHIN.—A receding chin, as shown in Fig. 1, p. 43, denotes a lack of firmness. It belongs to a person who has insufficient will of his own.

A chin shaped as Fig. 2 or 3, or midway between these, provides a very acceptable character. There is determination and grit, without an excess of these qualities. Fig. 2 may be taken as the normal type.

Broad, bony structures of the chin denotes conscientiousness and straightforwardness.

Length and projection of chin denotes firmness, stability, and perseverance.

An extremely long and projecting chin denotes stubbornness and obstinacy. (Fig. 4.)

A full ridge of fat under the chin denotes economy.

WRINKLES.—A wrinkle commencing in the lower cheek and extending right under the chin, from side to side, is caused from constant talking.

A wrinkle running from the side of the nose, downwards upon the lower cheek, to the outer corners of the mouth, is a sign of love of approbation.

Whenever in laughter three parallel circular lines are formed in the cheeks there is a fund of folly in the character.

Wrinkles lying horizontally across the root of the nose denote ability to command.

Several perpendicular wrinkles between the eyebrows denote a plodding, persevering disposition.

DIMPLES.—A round dimple in the chin denotes love of the beautiful in the opposite sex.

Dimples at the outer corners of the mouth are another sign of mirthfulness.

Dimples in the center of cheeks are another sign of approbation.

When a little cleft is seen at the tip of the nose it denotes the natural critic.

Close attention should always be given to texture and quality of the hair, eyes, and skin; this is most important, as the coarseness or refinement of character is shown very plainly to those who take the trouble to notice these things.

Color of hair, eyes, and skin is also very important; the depth of the feelings and passions is shown here; poorly colored people are much less passionate than their deeper colored fellow-creatures.

Thus from dark individuals of coarse quality we expect coarse passions, and from dark fine-quality individuals deep, refined emotions.

THE EYEBROWS.—Fig. 2 is intended for the eyebrows of a normal individual. Such a person goes about his duties in an ordinary, intelligent manner and does his best to make the world a little better place for having him in it.

A FINAL HINT.—In checking the "points" of a face, it is often found that one feature may contradict another. This does not prove that the explanations given above are incorrect. It goes to show that the character of the individual is not definitely set in one direction. He may vary at times or he may have the aptitude for fighting against one characteristic in favor of another. The only sound plan is to assess the character by striking a balance of all the "points" at issue.