Small Wealth Watches the Mouth, Great Wealth Observes the Eyes: Insights from Our Ancestors' People-Reading Skills
People in ancient times believed that wealth often depended on luck, commonly called "fortune." Fortune can be classified into two types: regular income and windfall. Naturally, the magnitude of fortune can vary; a small fortune might cover a family's basic needs, while great fortune can create wealth comparable to that of nations.
Ancient wisdom often taught that "destiny is determined by heaven," indicating that both poverty and wealth are governed by fate. This principle applies to fortune as well: everyone has their own "fortune," but not everyone can fully capitalize on it.
For example, you might work very hard yet find that the results are less than what you'd expect. Despite your efforts, gaining wealth might be more challenging for you than for those who are more fortunate. In such situations, ancient wisdom suggests finding ways to enhance your fortune; otherwise, you might end up working harder for lesser rewards.
Did you know that a person's appearance can also influence their fortune? There's an ancient saying, "small fortune is seen in the mouth, great wealth is seen in the eyes," suggesting that one’s fortune can be inferred from their mouth and eyes. But is this true? Is the ancient practice of reading people really that profound? What can we truly discern by observing the mouth and eyes?
For thousands of years, ancient scholars studied human facial features, leading to the development of traditional physiognomy and the art of reading people. These methods were used to assess character and predict future outcomes. In modern times, the art of reading people, closely related to physiognomy, has gained popularity. Today, you can easily find books on this topic in any bookstore, many of which also relate to one's destiny.
For instance, some books about reading people mention the phrase "small fortune is seen in the mouth, great wealth is seen in the eyes." The word "seen" here is often interpreted as "to observe," but it may be more accurately understood as "to depend on," meaning "small fortune depends on the mouth, great wealth depends on the eyes."
While this saying discusses the magnitude of fortune, it doesn't imply that one can judge a person's fortune solely by the appearance of their mouth or eyes. Rather, it suggests that achieving small and large fortunes requires different personal qualities. The mouth and eyes can effectively demonstrate these qualities, hence the saying "small fortune is seen in the mouth, great wealth is seen in the eyes."
"Small fortune is seen in the mouth" implies that if someone wants to earn a modest amount of money, having a good way with words is crucial. What defines a "good mouth"? It means "being articulate." As the saying goes, "a good talker can go anywhere." A person who communicates well is welcomed wherever they go, and those who are well-liked are more likely to encounter profitable opportunities and receive support from others.
Even at a farmer's market, where various vendors sell fruits and vegetables, the talkative stall owner is often busy with customers, while the quieter one, regardless of how good their products are, might attract fewer buyers. This illustrates "small fortune is seen in the mouth," especially for small business owners; to make money, one must possess a silver tongue.
However, once someone has earned a bit of money and wishes to expand their business, it's no longer just about being articulate; the key lies in their vision and perspective!
In the late 1990s, the retail industry began embracing the "supermarket" concept. Many small shop owners, who had previously made some money, decided to expand their businesses, transforming their small shops into "supermarkets." However, the vast majority of these small shop owners remained just that—small shop owners. Only a few with vision and insight evolved into retail chain giants, exemplifying "great wealth is seen in the eyes."
To achieve great wealth, one must possess vision and insight. But how do these qualities develop? They come from continuous learning, exploring new opportunities, innovating, and hard work. Therefore, a person's wealth is closely tied to their intelligence, knowledge, life experiences, mindset, and emotional intelligence, rather than merely having attractive facial features.