The text explores how physical characteristics, particularly of the neck, may indicate certain personality traits or behaviors. A strong, thick neck is associated with strength, while a thin or crooked neck may suggest weakness or deceit. The text draws comparisons between animals and humans, suggesting cultural perceptions of different body types.
Human Limbs
Most birds can also whistle very clearly, sing, and make vibrant sounds. It's hardly believable how much predictions about the shoulder blade and the form of the neck that some human scholars have accurately handed down. And certainly, when one pays attention, they are not mistaken at all; At least some are well thought out, and entirely applicable to artistic representations. Thus, a thick, well-muscled neck shows strength or indignation; And such traits resemble those of bulls that are slightly disturbed. The Fatty Neck People are often big eaters; Pigs also have thick necks and eat a lot; From which some Dutchmen, a voracious person, is called Gromphain, supposedly stemming from the Greek, or Scythian word Gromphaina, which means a pig, as others have noted. A thin neck shows impotence and effeminacy; When it is long, it often indicates folly, babble, and a playful nature: Suetonius describes Caligula as having such a neck and demeanor. The Short-Necked are often simple, but unfaithful in words; Also somewhat wolf-like in spying and stealing. Those with tightly strung necks are often unapproachable and awkward in company, also confusing their minds at times. The Old Inspectors advise us not to associate much with weak-necked people, as they may deceptively fall to anyone who associates with them. Mutilated or crooked necks are often confused in their speech and worried about undertaking many things. Those who create a broken or bent neck from a malicious act, and let the head hang..
Translation Notes
Gromphain: Likely from Greek or Scythian origin, refers to a pig.