On Chiromancy

if they are separated by a moderate interval: they will reveal the temperament of heat. In which matter, this must be noted: just as an excessively cold complexion produces a narrowness of the said table, denoting much avarice and pusillanimity in a man, so too a vast and excessive distance of that same table will declare an abundance of heat in the humors; from which state arises a certain immense prodigality and credulity in a man. When, however, the said table is arranged with its due distance and proportion, it signifies governance and frugality in a man, and finally that he is liberal, temperate, desirous of virtue, and God-fearing. And when the table of the hand is broad toward the percussion and narrow in the upper part, it signifies a man who is somewhat prodigal in the first age of life, but avaricious in old age. The opposite, however, will be true if it is disposed in the contrary manner. When it is narrow in the middle and broad at the extremities, it will signify one who is prodigal in early life, avaricious in middle age, and finally prodigal in old age, though rather liberal, since he is of more mature counsel at that age. The descent of the human hand denotes the beginning of life, inasmuch as one is born of a small and meager body and intellect. It continues to progress, however, along with the growth of the intellect, of works, and finally of all manners, until death—more or less so according to the influx of celestial bodies regarding the body and its members. But as for the intellect, if the organ of the soul is disposed and perfected with a congruent proportion, it has little share—indeed, none—of the influence of the heavens, for our will is free and operates freely according to its own desire. Thus, the descent of the hand is the beginning of life, but the ascent is the end, that is, old age.

A small woodcut of a manicula (pointing hand) in the left margin, pointing towards the final paragraph of the text.