Final answer:
The passage from Proverbs 27 compares the heart of a man to water reflecting a face, illustrating how a person's character is revealed through their heart. Reflective imagery in various texts often uses water as a symbol for life, knowledge, and morality, with consistent themes across different cultures and eras.
Step-by-step explanation:
The passage "As water reflects a face, so a man's heart reflects the man" is from Proverbs 27 of the Bible, suggesting that the nature of a person's heart reveals their true character, similar to how water can reflect an image. This idea of reflection and character is echoed in various literary and philosophical contexts, emphasizing the notion that external appearances or actions can be indicative of inner virtues or vices. For instance, in ancient philosophical traditions, as seen in the provided references, qualities such as wisdom, compassion, and courage were lauded as the hallmarks of good character. Water, often used metaphorically, represents life, knowledge, and the state of the human heart in various texts, from the Bible's Genesis, where streams watered the earth, to Chinese painting, where the element of water reflects societal constraints and the individual's moral character. Likewise, the use of water in the extract from Arthur Symons suggests an inner crying for rest, symbolizing the perpetual quest for peace in the human condition.