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These are the most important factors that create
differences in men's constitutions ; next come the land
in which a man is reared, and the water. For in
general you will find assimilated to the nature of the
land both the physique and the characteristics of the
inhabitants. For where the land is rich, soft, and
well-watered, and the water is very near the surface,
so as to be hot in summer and cold in winter, and if
the situation be favourable as regards the seasons,
there the inhabitants are fleshy, ill-articulated,
moist, lazy, and generally cowardly in character.
Slackness and sleepiness can be observed in them,
and as far as the arts are concerned they are thick-witted,
and neither subtle nor sharp. But where
the land is bare, waterless, rough, oppressed by
winter's storms and burnt by the sun, there you will
see men who are hard, lean, well-articulated, well-braced,
and hairy ; such natures will be found
energetic, vigilant, stubborn and independent in
character and in temper, wild rather than tame, of
more than average sharpness and intelligence in
the arts, and in war of more than average courage.
The things also that grow in the earth all assimilate
themselves to the earth. Such are the most sharply
contrasted natures and physiques. Take these observations
as a standard when drawing all other
conclusions, and you will make no mistake.
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