Handwriting analysis, or graphology, has long been celebrated as a window into actual character, revealing personality traits through the unique strokes of a pen. From ancient philosophers to modern psychologists, influential figures have lauded its ability to uncover the true essence of an individual.
The Historical Context of Graphology
Graphology, the study of handwriting to infer personality traits, has roots dating back to the 17th century, with significant developments in the 19th and early 20th centuries. During this period, it gained traction in Europe, particularly in France and Germany, where intellectuals like Alfred Binet (who developed the first practical IQ test) explored its potential during a time when psychology was emerging as a discipline.
Much like astrology during the Middle Ages, as noted in this blog post, graphology was considered a serious field of study based on pattern recognition. Although modern science is commonly inclined to reject graphology, often due to a lack of peer-reviewed studies, there are many studies showing that peer review doesn’t enhance the accuracy of scientific work at all. The negative perception of graphology, similar to that of astrology, may arise from a lack of understanding of its historical context. Scroll to the end of this page for a list of scientific studies based on handwriting analysis.
In this blog post, I present a collection of quotes from graphology pioneers like Camillo Baldi and Jean-Hippolyte Michon, and literary giants like Shakespeare and Poe, all praising the power of handwriting analysis. These quotes showcase why graphology remains a fascinating tool for self-discovery and character assessment.
Quotes on Handwriting Analysis
“Handwriting is brainwriting; it is the mind’s direct imprint on the page.” William Peyer (1876–1945) – Child psychologist
Source: William Peyer, The Physiology of Writing (early 1900s). Note: Peyer’s work linked handwriting to neurological and psychological processes, supporting graphology’s scientific basis.
“Handwriting and character are inseparable; the pen reveals what the heart conceals.” Ludwig Klages (1872–1956) – German philosopher and graphologist
Source: Ludwig Klages, Handschrift und Charakter (1930). Note: Klages, a father of modern graphology, defined principles linking movement and personality, still influential today.
“Handwriting is a direct expression of the personality, as unique as a fingerprint.” Jules Crépieux-Jamin (1858–1940) – French physician and psychologist
Source: Jules Crépieux-Jamin, L’ABC de la Graphologie (1929). Note: Crépieux-Jamin, a student of Jean-Hippolyte Michon (see quote below), advanced graphology by advocating a holistic approach to handwriting analysis.
“Graphology is the science of the future.” Alfred Binet (1857–1911) – French Psychologist
Source: Alfred Binet, Les Signes Mentaux Inconscients, 1906. Note: Binet, renowned for developing the first practical IQ test, conducted research on graphology from 1893 to 1907.
“Writing is the mirror of the mind.” Charles Dickens (1812–1870) – English novelist
Source: Widely attributed to Dickens, but there’s no verified source. Note: Dickens’ interest in handwriting aligns with his era’s focus on character assessment, evident in his detailed literary characters.
“The handwriting of every person is as distinctive as their face.” Edgar Allan Poe (1809–1849) – American writer and poet
Source: Edgar Allan Poe, Autography (1926). Note: Poe’s “autography” work analyzed handwriting samples, reflecting his belief in their ability to reveal personality traits.
“The autographs of distinguished men have been, from time immemorial, objects of curiosity; but the science of autography, properly so called, is of recent origin.” Edgar Allan Poe (1809–1849) – American Author and Poet
Source: “A Chapter on Autography,” published in Graham’s Magazine, 1841.
“Graphology is the science of discovering character through handwriting.”
Jean-Hippolyte Michon (1806–1881) – French abbot, archaeologist, and founder of modern graphology
Source: Les Mystères de l’Écriture (1872). Note: Michon coined the term “graphology” and developed a systematic approach, making it a cornerstone of the field.
“Handwriting is the visible form of the invisible character.” Abbe Louis Flandrin (1808–1881) – French clergyman and graphology pioneer
Source: Attributed to Flandrin, though unverified in primary sources. Note: Flandrin, a mentor to Jean-Hippolyte Michon (see quote above), helped formalize graphology in France, emphasizing handwriting as an expression of inner traits.
“Every man’s signature is a key to his character.” Jules Michelet (1798–1874) – French historian
Source: Attributed to Michelet, cited in Graphology: A Historical Perspective by the International Graphology Association. Note: Michelet’s view reflects the 19th-century belief that handwriting reveals core personality traits.
“Give me the handwriting of a woman, and I will tell you her character.” William Shakespeare (1564–1616) – English playwright and poet
Source: Widely attributed to Shakespeare in graphology literature, though unverified in his works. Note: Shakespeare’s reputed endorsement reflects the Renaissance-era fascination with handwriting as a mirror of personality.
“From a letter one can recognize the nature and quality of the writer.” Camillo Baldi (1550–1637) – Italian physician, philosopher, and professor
Source: Camillo Baldi, How To Judge the Nature and the Character of a Person from His Letter (1622). Note: Baldi’s seminal work is considered the first published book on handwriting analysis, establishing graphology’s foundation by linking handwriting to character.
“The hand reveals the mind’s intent.” Leonardo da Vinci (1452–1519) – Italian polymath
Source: Adapted from A Treatise on Painting (c. 1490–1519, published 1651), Part I, Section 36, translated by John Francis Rigaud, 1802, p. 12. A Treatise on Painting is a collection of Leonardo da Vinci’s writings on painting, originally entered in his notebooks under the general heading “On Painting.” The manuscripts were compiled by his heir, Francesco Melzi, and were first published in an abridged version in France in 1651. The full treatise was published in its modern form in 1817 after Melzi’s manuscript was rediscovered in the Vatican Library. Note: Leonardo’s original statement, discussing how artists’ hands express mental concepts in painting, reflects his belief in the connection between physical action and inner thought. While not specifically about handwriting analysis, it resonates with graphology’s view that handwriting mirrors the mind.
“Beware of a man whose writing sways like a reed in the wind.” Confucius (551–479 BC) – Chinese philosopher
Source: Attributed to Confucius, cited in modern graphology texts, including The History of Graphology by the British Institute of Graphologists.
The science of handwriting analysis continues to inspire, as seen in these quotes from historical giants like Confucius, Shakespeare, and Michon. Each quote underscores graphology’s power to reveal the details of personality through the simple act of writing.
Copyright © 2025 Scott Petullo
