YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR YOUR FACE
An Examination of the Past, the Bible, and Abraham Lincoln's Thoughts on
the Matter
Pastor Michael Joseph Gowon
The adage "You are responsible for your face" has a deep historical significance and bears profound implications for
personal responsibility and the growth of one's character. The proverb was
first recorded in the 16th century. In this article, we will investigate the
historical roots of this statement, its applicability in light of Ecclesiastes
8:1, and connect it to Abraham Lincoln's famous response during the selecting
of his cabinet in the year 1860. Through the examination of these facets, we
will bring to light the significance of personal responsibility in the process
of molding a person's character and how this process influences interaction and
decision-making. I am sure you have come across people whose face speak a lot about
them. By looking at their faces, you can write pages about what their face is
insinuating. In
fact, they say it, body
language may account for between 60% to 65% of all communication[1]. Researcher Paul Ekman has found support for
the universality of a variety of facial expressions tied to particular emotions
including joy, anger, fear, surprise, and sadness[2].
Research even suggests that we make judgments about people's intelligence based on their faces and expressions.
One study also found that
individuals who had narrower faces and more prominent noses were more likely to
be perceived as intelligent. People with smiling, joyful expression as being more intelligent than those with angry expressions[3] This alone speaks volume and a wise person will have a rethink about
how he or she is processing and presenting his/her face to the public.
I have met people that their faces speak a lot
about their journey of life. From their faces alone, you can see suffering,
worry, tragedy, loneliness, hopelessness while from that of others you would
see light, happiness, a victory mentality, a champion mindset and a potential
winner. If there was any thing like the ugly man contest, I assure you that I
have seen a man that will carry the prize. His face tells it all. And if you
see him, I am sure you will agree with me. If you doing a drama series and
wants a certain individual to play the role of a wicked, thug or assassin, you
would look for a fellow with a face that look close to the role isn’t it? Do
not mislead others by your fake face, be real.
There are
more than seven billion people on this planet, and every one of them has a
distinct look to their eyes, nose, mouth, and cheeks. One of the most potent
weapons in social contact is the face, which is capable of conveying a wide
range of emotions and saying a lot about individuals.
The
historical setting and significance
The idea that a person is responsible for their face may be traced back
to ancient times, when the notion of facial expression representing one’s,
inner self gained significance. This is where the idea that a person is
responsible for their face can be found. Many civilizations throughout history,
such as ancient Greece and Rome, held the belief that a person's outward
appearance mirrored their inner nature, as well as their deeds and the outcomes
of the decisions they made. This idea highlighted the value of personal
responsibility as well as the necessity of cultivating a virtuous character
that would positively influence one's face and reputation in the eyes of
others. Several historical civilizations held the view that one's external
appearance revealed their inner essence and the results of their deeds, as
shown by the following examples:
Ancient Greece
The concept of kalokagathia, which placed emphasis on the harmony of
aesthetic beauty and moral virtue, was held by the ancient Greeks. They held
that a person's outward appearance was a mirror of their inner nature and that
goodness and justice were linked to beauty.
Ancient Rome
The Romans held a similar view regarding the relationship between look and character. The idea of "honestas" included both aesthetic excellence and moral uprightness. Romans thought that a person's good deeds and overall character would be reflected in their face and behavior.
Ancient
Egypt
I highly valued personal hygiene and attractiveness in ancient
Egyptian civilization. An attractive and dazzling exterior, according to the
Egyptians, reflected inner righteousness and purity. They believed
that physical beauty was directly related to one's fate and was associated with
spiritual attributes.
Chinese Confucianism
The Confucian school of thought, which had its roots in ancient China,
placed a strong emphasis on morality and good behavior. In this tradition,
keeping one's composure and dignity was viewed as a representation of one's
moral character. People who wanted to develop virtue were thought to need to
follow appropriate protocol and present a peaceful demeanor.
Europe in the Middle Ages
The idea of physiognomy became more widespread throughout this time. The
goal of physiognomy was to infer a person's personality and fate from their
face features. There was a theory that certain physical characteristics could
predict certain moral or mental traits.
These illustrations show how different cultures throughout history understood the relationship between an individual's external behavior and their inner character, actions, and decision-making. The conviction of this link emphasizes the significance of individual accountability and the pursuit of moral excellence in determining one's appearance and general behavior.
A Look at Things from a Biblical Standpoint
In the King James Version of the Bible, Ecclesiastes 8:1 offers some
insightful advice regarding the cultivation of one's character and one's sense
of personal responsibility. The following question is posed in the verse: "Who
is as the wise man? And who is it that can explain the meaning of something?
According to Ecclesiastes 8:1, "a man's wisdom makes his face to
shine, and the boldness of his face shall be changed."
This verse places a strong emphasis on the connection that exists between wisdom, character, and the outward aspect of a person. It gives the impression that a person's level of intelligence and judgment might result in a brightness that can be seen in their face. Additionally, the text seems to imply that the boldness or impudence that is reflected on one's face can be modified by the pursuit of wisdom and righteousness.
This verse from Ecclesiastes exhorts individuals to accept
responsibility for their own growth and development at every stage of their
lives. It places a strong emphasis on the significance of actively seeking
wisdom, which can, in turn, improve a person's character and have a good
influence on their interactions with others as well as their entire demeanor.
From the Perspective of Abraham Lincoln
In 1860, when President Abraham Lincoln was choosing his cabinet members, he was advised to
appoint a certain man into a certain position. Lincoln
is infamous for his response when he said: "No, I won't because
I don't like his face." The advisors
surprised replied him saying, “The poor man isn’t responsible for his face . .
.” Lincoln had a quick answer to give them, "Any man
over the age of 40 is responsible for his face." The advisors were stunned.
The answer of Lincoln shows the concept that a person's face communicates something about who they are and how they behave. Lincoln alludes to the fact that individuals are responsible for their outward expressions as well as the impressions that they generate by declaring that a man above the age of 40 is responsible for his face. This perspective is consistent with the notion that an individual's level of personal responsibility extends to how they interact with other people and how they show themselves to others. The Bible says, a man who desires to have friends ought also to show himself to be friendly.
“A man who has friends must himself be friendly, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother” (Prov. 18:24).
A man who receives friendship should return it, or else he is guilty of severe ingratitude; friendship ought to be mutual and reciprocal, as it was between David and Jonathan; a guy who receives friendship should return it. It has been said that at 20 you have the face God gave you, at 40 you have the face that life has molded, and at 60 you have the face you deserve. Nature gives you the face you have at twenty, life shapes the face you have at thirty. But at fifty you get the face you deserve.
I returned late from my village to Jos and needed help moving my things, including a bag of maize, to my dwelling on the outskirts. I agreed to let a drug-addicted adolescent carry the bag of maize to my residence.
The Invitation to Develop Yourself Further
Taking into account the historical setting, the teachings of the Bible,
and Abraham Lincoln's point of view, the message is unmistakable: every
individual is required to work on improving themselves in order to comply with
Ecclesiastes 8:1 and to accept responsibility for their appearance. Personal
growth and the development of one's character require, among other things, the
active cultivation of virtues, the acquisition of wisdom, and the embodiment of
integrity.
Individuals gain the empowerment to actively engage in self-improvement when they realize that their behaviors, attitudes, and beliefs form their character as well as how they are regarded by others. Individuals can aim to have a beneficial impact on the world around them, affect the connections they have, and make solid decisions that are guided by wisdom and justice if they accept responsibility for their face and make such commitments.
In conclusion
"You are responsible for your
face" is a quote that resonates with the perspective that Abraham Lincoln
had on personal responsibility. This quote has both historical value and
biblical insight. This phrase serves as a reminder that our personalities,
deeds, and decisions all contribute to the formation of our outer expressions
and influence how others view us. Our faces can be transformed into
ones that reflect a countenance that emanates honesty, kindness, and moral
virtue if we put the effort into working on ourselves, embracing wisdom, and
sticking to virtuous values. Remember that it is up to each person to create a
face that positively influences their relationships and helps to the creation
of a better world. This obligation resides with the individual.
ENDNOTES
[1]Foley GN, Gentile JP. Nonverbal communication in psychotherapy. Psychiatry
(Edgmont). 2010;7(6):38-44.
[2]Ekman P. Darwin's contributions to our understanding of emotional expressions. Philos Trans R Soc Lond, B, Biol Sci. 2009;364(1535):3449-51. doi:10.1098/rstb.2009.0189
[3] Kleisner K, Chvátalová V, Flegr J. Perceived intelligence is associated with measured intelligence in men but not women. PLoS ONE. 2014;9(3): e81237. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0081237
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