Beattie, James (1735-1803)

An Essay on the Nature and Immutability of Truth; in Opposition to Sophistry and Scepticism

Edinburgh

Printed for A. Kincaid & J. Bell. Sold, at London, by E. & C. Dilly

1770

"Some men are distinguished by an uncommon acuteness in discovering the characters of others: they seem to read the soul in the countenance, and with a single glance to penetrate the deepest recesses of the heart."

[...] Some men are distinguished by an uncommon acuteness in discovering the characters of others: they seem to read the soul in the countenance, and with a single glance to penetrate the deepest recesses of the heart. In their presence, the hypocrite is detected, notwithstanding his specious outside; the gay effrontery of the coxcomb cannot conceal his insignificance; and the man of merit appears conspicuous under all the disguises of an unassuming and ungainly modesty. This talent is sometimes called Common Sense; but very improperly. It is far from being common; it is even exceedingly rare: it is to be found in men who are not remarkable for any other mental excellence; and we often fee those who in other respects are judicious enough, quite destitute of it.
(I.i, p. 39)

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10 entries in ESTC (1770, 1771, 1772, 1773, 1774, 1777, 1778).

Beattie, James. An Essay on the Nature and Immutability of Truth; in Opposition to Sophistry and Scepticism (Edinburgh: A Kincaid & J. Bell, 1770). <Link to ECCO>

Text from corrected and enlarged second edition of 1771. <Link to Google Books>

09/29/2011