The text provides observations on human toes and nails, associating their shapes and forms with personality traits and behaviors. It suggests that large and well-proportioned toes are linked to good manners, while short, thick toes are associated with carelessness and wildness. Additionally, the text comments on variations in human gait and the significance of physical features like nails in revealing character.
Human Limbs.
The impression of someone's Natural Traits; Large Toes and well Proportioned, generally belong to people of good Manners. People of Little Understanding, often have short and Thin Toes, and those that are Long and Thin are sometimes not any better. However, those that are Short and Thick are generally Careless, Wild and Flighty People. If the Toes are moderately spread from each other, they may be somewhat counted among the People who like to Joke, Dance, and Prank. Those with very closed Toes are fearful People. Those with curled Toes are so Shameful that they would even cover their Eyes with their Shirt: And thus old Portrait-watchers also predict from the curved Nails. But if the curved Foot-Nails are somewhat Long and Narrow, it is to be feared, that such People are wicked and wild. Round Nails suggest a fine-boned Disposition. Very Short and Black Nails are a Sign of a Rascal. White and slightly Yellowish Nails indicate a well-set Disposition, unless otherwise, the Nails of People generally give them away as Nature has set. It has been commonly said that the Legs and Feet with the Thighs are the main workmanship of the Walk, and it is not without a cause, regarding the various Swagger and Cadence of the Human Gait to speak, and to note something of variation therein. Indeed, the Human Walk is so diverse that we distinguish from one another from behind or afar, in the Twilight and Twilight-time of evening. Which diversity indeed merits attention, M 2 great-
Translation Notes:
- Natuur: translated as 'Nature,' referring to inherent qualities.
- Menschen: translated as 'People.'