This organ produces the propensity to exterminate and destroy. It
incites the murderer to his act of crime. It renders its possessor
harsh, cruel, and indifferent to the feelings of others, and is an
active element in the minds of all warriors, sportsmen and pugilists.
Predominant.--With Destructiveness predominant, an individual will be
harsh, cruel and severe. His language will abound with pungent sarcasms
and cutting remarks. With large Combativeness, he will prefer arms as
a profession. With Self-esteem and Combativeness both large, he will
be distinguished for his energy and force of character. He will drive
through his purposes regardless of opposition.
Large.--With Destructiveness large, and Benevolence small, an
individual will be cruel, sanguinary and severe. With Secretiveness and
Conscientiousness small, and Combativeness and Self-esteem large, he
will be exceedingly passionate and vindictive. With such a combination,
he will lose no opportunity of assailing the feelings of his opponents.
If Amativeness and Adhesiveness are large, he will be attached to his
family, yet will treat them often with great severity. If Combativeness
and Destructiveness are small, it will require much to excite him, but
when aroused, he will be vindictive to the last degree. If Benevolence
is large, he will not be sanguinary or cruel; but with Combativeness
moderate, will be mild and amiable in disposition, yet capable of
great severity when circumstances justify it. This combination enables
the surgeon to perform an operation with the requisite energy, and
yet without giving unnecessary pain. With Approbativeness small,
and Self-esteem, Conscientiousness and Benevolence large, he may
be charitable, yet he will often give needless offence in his
administrations of charity. He will destroy every thing that is not
absolutely valuable.
Moderate.--With Destructiveness moderate, and Benevolence large, one
will be tender-hearted, and with small Combativeness, effeminate. With
moderate Benevolence, and large Self-esteem and Combativeness, he will
possess sufficient severity of character to enable him to succeed
in any lawful occupation. He will be naturally peaceful and opposed
to harsh measures when they can be avoided, yet will not refrain
from using severity when necessary. If Benevolence is large, and
Combativeness and Self-esteem moderate, he will lack energy and force
of mind; will easily sink under difficulties and submit quietly to
aggression and imposition.
Small.--With Destructiveness small, an individual will be effeminate,
and with moderate Combativeness, be very destitute of energy and
force of character. He will be mild, inoffensive, and peaceable. The
performance of an action that requires the infliction of much pain,
will be to him nearly impossible. With Acquisitiveness moderate or
large, he will have a desire to preserve and lay by every thing that is
not absolutely worthless. It will give him pain to see any thing that
may possibly be of service destroyed.