Face Observation

...and therefore it was necessary for them to hang the cloak of soft wool, namely feigned meekness and outward humility, like a sheep's coat. Would that God had made this breed completely extinct.

From the general knowledge that we have of the inclination, nature, and tendencies of animals, it follows that we can liken a person whose eyes are slow-moving and often sunken in the head to a stupid donkey or donkey's head. One whose nose and cheeks are equally high, the face broad and long, is often considered a dumb ox's head or stubborn pusher; and if such characteristics are seen in a young man, more like a calf than a bull, one can easily discern a dullard from his face. Behind an ape-like face often hides a jokester or a rogue. Similarly, one can often identify a courageous and unwaveringly fierce man from a lion-like face. Indeed, if one observes carefully, one must admit that there are cat-like people, dog-like people, pig-like people, bull-like people, lion-like people, and almost all kinds of animal-like people. Indeed, there is almost nothing inherent in animals that cannot be found in the general assembly of humans. And all those traits together, one can quickly find in animals. Thus, the brave are like a lion. The fearful like a hare. The charitable like the cock. The spiteful like the dog. The severe like the raven. The upright like the turtle dove. The cunning like the fox. The gentle like the lamb. The playful like the goat. The unpredictable like the calf. The cautious like the panther. The destroyer like the bear. The greedy like the elephant.

Translation Notes: "Tronie" refers to a facial expression or character study and "geslagt" in this text may imply a certain breed or class.