Once in a while, my mind wanders into superfluous thinking. I caught myself analyzing or rather trying to decipher what attracted me to the friends I have. I have a couple friends I consider dear, and they all seem to have some similar conspicuous traits. Most of them are introverts, quite, calm and collected. Others are ambitious, full of passion and somehow leader like. Why are you my friend?
In my search for answers, I reverted to the well-known theory of the “The Four Human Temperaments”.
Dr. David Keirsey, author of Please Understand Me, says,
“There are two sides to personality, one of which is temperament and the other character. Temperament is a configuration of inclinations, while character is a configuration of habits.”
Wikipedia definition:
“Four temperaments is a proto-psychological theory that suggests that there are four fundamental personality types, sanguine (enthusiastic, active, and social), choleric (short-tempered, fast, or irritable), melancholic (analytical, wise, and quiet), and phlegmatic (relaxed and peaceful). Most formulations include the possibility of mixtures of the types”
This theory can be traced to the “father of medicine”, the Greek physician Hippocrates (460-370 BC) who was born during the prophetic ministries of Nehemiah and Malachi, or some 450 years before the birth of Christ.
In a nut shell, this is what I found out: Certain temperaments are attracted to particular temperaments.
- Say, A Choleric can survive living with either Melancholic or Sanguine not with another choleric or phlegmatic.
- Say, A Melancholic can survive living with either choleric or phlegmatic not with another Melancholic or Sanguine.
- Say, A Phlegmatic can survive living with either choleric or Melancholic not with another Phlegmatic or choleric.
- Say, A Sanguine can survive living with either Phlegmatic or Choleric not with another Phlegmatic or Melancholic.
There is plenty of literature surrounding this theory. Though it may not be thoroughly scientific in its approach, it somehow makes sense to me. I find it difficult to tolerate talkative people (sanguine) or other gloomy/pessimistic people (other Melancholies).
Know thyself.
In Pr. Henry Wright Sermons series titled “The Holy Spirit and your Temperament” and “The Holy Spirit and Choosing a Mate” also tries to make the similar points.
Here are the links to the respective YouTube videos.
The Holy Spirit and your Temperament Part 1
The Holy Spirit and your Temperament Part 2
The Holy Spirit and Choosing a Mate
