Fingers are either long or short, irrespective of the length of the palm to which they belong.
Long fingers give love of detail in everything—in the decoration of a room, in the treatment of servants, in the management of nations, or in the painting of a picture. Long-fingered people are exact in matters of dress, quick to notice small attentions; they worry themselves over little things, and have occasionally a leaning toward affectation.
Short fingers are quick and impulsive. They cannot be troubled about little things; they take everything en masse; they generally jump at conclusions too hastily. They do not care so much about appearances, or for the conventionalities of society; they are quick in thought, and hasty and outspoken in speech.
Fingers thick and clumsy, as well as short, are more or less cruel and selfish.
When the fingers are stiff and curved inward, or naturally contracted, they denote an excess of caution and reserve, and very often indicate a cowardly spirit.
When they are very supple and bend back like an arch, they tell of a nature charming in company, affable and clever, but curious and inquisitive.
Naturally crooked, distorted, twisted fingers on a bad hand indicate a crooked, distorted, evil nature; on a good hand they are rarely found, but if found they denote a quizzical, irritating person.
When a small fleshy ball or pad is found on the inside of the nail phalange, it denotes extreme sensitiveness and tact through the dread of causing pain to others.
When the fingers are thick and puffy at the base, the subject considers p. 54 his own comfort before that of others; he will desire luxury in eating, drinking, and living. When, on the contrary, the fingers at the base are shaped like a waist, it shows an unselfish disposition in every way, and fastidiousness in matters of food.
When, with the fingers open, a wide space is seen between the first and second, it indicates great independence of thought. When the space is wide between the third and fourth, it indicates independence of action.
The Length of the Fingers in Relation to One Another
The first finger on some hands is very short; again, on others, it is as long as the second, and so on.
When the first, or index finger, is excessively long, it denotes great pride, and a tendency to rule and domineer. It is to be found in the hands of priests as well as politicians. Such a man, literally speaking, will “lay down the law.”
When this finger is abnormal, namely, as long as the second, it indicates great pride of disposition, a desire for power, the “one man, one world” creed. Napoleon was a striking example of this rule; on his hand the first finger was abnormal, it being fully equal to the second.
When the second finger (the finger of Saturn) is square and heavy, it shows a deeply thoughtful, almost morbid nature.
When pointed, the reverse—callousness and frivolity.
When the third finger (the finger of the Sun) is nearly of the same length as the first, it denotes ambition for wealth and honor through its artistic leanings, and a great desire for glory. If excessively long, almost equal to the second, it denotes the nature that looks at life in the light of a lottery, one that gambles with all things—money, life, and danger—but one endowed withal with strong artistic instincts and talents.
The spatulate termination for this third finger is an excellent sign for the actor, orator, or preacher. It indicates that his artistic gifts are strengthened by the dramatic or sensational power, the breadth, the color necessary to appeal to audiences.
When the fourth, or little finger, is well-shaped and long, it acts as a kind p. 55 of balance in the hand to the thumb, and indicates the power of the subject to influence others. When very long—almost reaching to the nail of the third—it shows great power of expression in both writing and speaking, and the owner is more or less the savant and philosopher: one who can converse with ease on any subject; one who interests and commands people by the manner in which he will apply facts and knowledge to the treatment of anything brought under his notice. Mr. Gladstone is a good example of this class; on his hand his fourth finger nearly reaches the nail of the third.