The text discusses how human expressions and physical gestures are influenced by emotions and mental states. It highlights how children's crying can be affected by suppression and compares the expression of inner feelings through the face's features. The face, especially the eyes, is emphasized as a significant indicator of a person's internal emotions and thoughts.
The Human Figures, Etc.
Such equilibrium can be brought, and the crying can stop.
This happens when people cease crying or sighing after a great outpour; forcing it is like trying to stop the swaying of water in a moved tub which won't stop immediately when the motion stops. One can see this when children suppress their crying; due to excessive constraints, it sometimes overwhelms them.
The reason for this is the motion of the spirits being stifled or violently constrained.
The face is often set and arranged according to the actions and gestures dictated by the passions and will of the mind and body.
Without this harmonious setting, our actions seem lifeless and serious. A sharp countenance helps us in threatening actions, like the proverb says, a face shows threat even if three may be fatal.
Pleading grants us humble deceit. The sincerity of an open spirit is shown through cheerful eyes; especially when they are bright and glossy standing in the head, slightly rounded in shape.
The sluggishness of a servile heart is expressed through the dreaminess of the face: thus all the passions of the mind are set apparent in the human face.
One must also note that the features of the face show the passions of the mind better than any other part.
For they are indeed the real windows to the spirit.
What is discerned through the eyes regarding passions.
When expressions can be seen in the features.