Monday, March 25, 2024

The Four Temperaments---Melancholic (Part I)

To My Readers: I have received several requests for posts on the subject of The Four Temperaments. This week's post is the second installment to this most important and interesting topic. I will follow-up with other posts so that by the end of 2024, I will have done some justice to presenting the Four Temperaments. 

I want to acknowledge that I take no credit for the posts on this topic. My primary sources will be from theologian Schagemann and his work entitled Manual of Self-Knowledge and Christian Perfection (1913).  Also, the work of theologian Hock The Four Temperaments (1934) will be used throughout this series of posts, with various other sources. I take absolutely no credit whatsoever for the content of this post (or the ones on this topic to follow). All I did was condense the material of these theologians into a terse post that hopefully will be advantageous for  those looking for information, but without time to read an entire book or two from the pre-Vatican II era on the subject. 

God bless you all, my dear readers---Introibo


The Melancholic Temperament--Part I

If there is a temperament with very unfortunate characteristics, it is certainly the melancholic. Externally this temperament manifests but slight receptibility. Apparently the melancholic seems to remain unmoved. He manifests no emotion. He appears to be very indifferent to the external world, to everything that goes on around him. But, in his imagination he construes an interior world, the ideals of which cannot be realized. He is both slow and obstinate. This obstinancy causes him to be very tenacious of his own opinions. He is never contented. Being a severe censor of morals, he fails to discover anything good in others. 

Naturally, he is uncongenial. In consequence of this, he exhibits great and constant irritability. It is, therefore, not surprising that he is inclined to be suspicious of others. He is apt to offend others by imagining they have something against him, or are dissatisfied with him, or, perhaps, are opposed to him. He is convinced that he is misjudged. This causes him to be distant and possibly offensive in his intercourse. His fondness for solitude inclines him to singularity. In consequence, he is reserved and wholly engrossed in himself. 

When offended or in case he imagines an affront has been offered him, he becomes vindictive. He nourishes hatred and aversion. He desires to revenge himself. At the same time he is capable of bestowing the most ardent friendship on some, individually, to the complete exclusion of all others. He may become a prey to vehement passions. But these he will conceal in his interior. He may secretly indulge in vice. He possesses an unreasonable self-conceit. He fosters within himself an over-estimation of superiority. This readily leads him to despise others.

The characteristic trait of this temperament is a moderate sadness. It is tranquil in action. It is profound in all undertakings. It possesses weight and maturity in judgment. Father Schram and theologians in general admit that every truly great, wise, and prudent man has evinced traits of this temperament. Nay, in advancing years those may attain these characteristics who, in youth were endowed with a choleric temperament. Such persons are well suited to become good advisers, prudent leaders and men of learning. If such become devoted to the spiritual life they are apt to excel and become masters, owing to their prudence and discretion.

The melancholic loves the sublime and terrific. He delights in the supernatural. He loves contemplation. Thus the pursuit and practise of virtue is for him an agreeable task. He will earnestly strive after solid virtue. His ardent mind is easily convinced that God is the only and true Good. He therefore yields himself to the service of God with all the ardor of which this temperament is capable. The direction of this temperament must, above all, be considerate and circumspect.


Characteristics of the Melancholic Temperament

The melancholic person is but feebly excited by whatever acts upon him. The reaction is weak, but this feeble impression remains for a long time and by subsequent similar impressions grows stronger and at last excites the mind so vehemently that it is difficult to eradicate it.

Such impression may be compared to a post, which by repeated strokes is driven deeper and deeper into the ground, so that at last it is hardly possible to pull it out again. This propensity of the melancholic needs special attention. It serves as a key to solve the many riddles in his behavior.

Fundamental Disposition of the Melancholic

1. Inclination to reflection. The thinking of the melancholic easily turns into reflection. The thoughts of the melancholic are far-reaching. He dwells with pleasure upon the past and is preoccupied by occurrences of the long ago; he is penetrating; is not satisfied with the superficial, searches for the cause and correlation of things; seeks the laws which affect human life, the principles according to which man should act. His thoughts are of a wide range; he looks ahead into the future; ascends to the eternal. The melancholic is of an extremely soft-hearted disposition.

His very thoughts arouse his own sympathy and are accompanied by a mysterious longing. Often they stir him up profoundly, particularly religious reflections or plans which he cherishes; yet he hardly permits his fierce excitement to be noticed outwardly. The untrained melancholic is easily given to brooding and to day-dreaming.

2. Love of retirement. The melancholic does not feel at home among a crowd for any length of time; he loves silence and solitude. Being inclined to introspection he secludes himself from the crowds, forgets his environment, and makes poor use of his senses -eyes, ears, etc. In company he is often distracted, because he is absorbed by his own thoughts. By reason of his lack of observation and his dreaming the melancholic person has many a mishap in his daily life and at his work.

3. Serious conception of life. The melancholic looks at life always from the serious side. At the core of his heart there is always a certain sadness, "a weeping of the heart," not because the melancholic is sick or morbid, as many claim, but because he is penneated with a strong longing for an ultimate good (God) and eternity and feels continually hampered by earthly and temporal affairs and impeded in his carvings. The melancholic is a stranger here below and feels homesick for God and eternity.

4. Inclination to passivity. The melancholic is a passive temperament. The person possessing such a temperament, therefore, has not the vivacious, quick, progressive, active propensity of the choleric or sanguine, but is slow, pensive, reflective. It is difficult to move him to quick action, since he has a marked inclination to passivity and inactivity. This pensive propensity of the melancholic accounts for his fear of suffering and difficulties as well as for his dread of interior exertion and self-denial.

Peculiarities of the Melancholic

1. He is reserved. He finds it difficult to form new acquaintances and speaks little among strangers. He reveals his inmost thoughts reluctantly and only to those whom he trusts. He does not easily find the right word to express and describe his sentiments. He yearns often to express himself, because it affords him real relief, to confide the sad, depressing thoughts which burden his heart to a person who sympathizes with him.

On the other hand, it requires great exertion on his part to manifest himself, and, when he does so, he goes about it so awkwardly that he does not feel satisfied and finds no rest. Such experiences tend to make the melancholic more reserved. A teacher of melancholic pupils, therefore, must be aware of these peculiarities and must take them into consideration; otherwise he will do a great deal of harm to his charges.

2. The melancholic is irresolute. On account of too many considerations and too much fear of difficulties and of the possibility that his plans or works may fail, the melancholic can hardly reach a decision. He is inclined to defer his decision. What he could do today he postpones for tomorrow, the day after tomorrow, or even for the next week. Then he forgets about it and thus it happens that what he could have done in an hour takes weeks and months. He is never finished.

For many a melancholic person it may take a long time to decide about his vocation to the religious life. The melancholic is a man of missed opportunities. While he sees that others have crossed the creek long ago, he still deliberates whether he too should and can jump over it. That's because the melancholic discovers many ways by his reflection and has difficulties in deciding which one to take, he easily gives way to others, and does not stubbornly insist on his own opinion.

3. The melancholic is despondent and without courage. He is pusillanimous and timid if he is called upon to begin a new work, to execute a disagreeable task, to venture on a new undertaking. He has a strong will coupled with talent and power, but no courage. It has become proverbial therefore: "Throw the melancholic into the water and he will learn to swim." If difficulties in his undertakings are encountered by the melancholic, even if they are only very insignificant, he feels discouraged and is tempted to give up the ship, instead of conquering the obstacle and repairing the ill success by increased effort.

4. The melancholic is slow and awkward. a) He is slow in his thinking. He feels it necessary, first of all, to consider and reconsider everything until he can form a calm and safe judgment. b) He is slow in his speech. If he is called upon to answer quickly or to speak without preparation, or if he fears that too much depends on his answer, he becomes restless and does not find the right word and consequently often makes a false and unsatisfactory reply.

This slow thinking may be the reason why the melancholic often stutters, leaves his sentences incomplete, uses wrong phrases, or searches for the right expression. He is also slow, not lazy, at his work. He works carefully and reliably, but only if he has ample time and is not pressed. He himself naturally does not believe that he is a slow worker.

 5. The pride of the melancholic bas its very peculiar side. He does not seek honor or recognition; on the contrary, he is loathe to appear in public and to be praised. But he is very much afraid of disgrace and humiliation. He often displays great reserve and thereby gives the impression of modesty and humility; in reality he retires only because he is afraid of being put to shame. He allows others to be preferred to him, even if they are less qualified and capable than himself for the particular work, position, or office, but at the same time he feels slighted because he is being ignored and his talents are not appreciated.

The melancholic person, if he really wishes to become perfect, must pay very close attention to these feelings of resentment and excessive sensitiveness in the face of even small humiliations. Also, the melancholic has few friends, because few understand him and because he takes few into his confidence.

Bright Side of the Melancholic Temperament

1. The melancholic practices with ease and joy interior prayer. His serious view of life, his love of solitude, and his inclination to reflection are a great help to him in acquiring the interior life of prayer. He has, as it were, a natural inclination inclination to piety. Meditating on the perishable things of this world he thinks of the eternal; sojourning on earth he is attracted to Heaven. Many saints were of a melancholic temperament. This temperament causes difficulties at prayer, since the melancholic person easily loses courage in trials and sufferings and consequently lacks confidence in God, in his prayers, and can be very much distracted by pusillanimous and sad thoughts. 

2. In communication with God the melancholic finds a deep and indescribable peace. He, better than anyone else, understands the words of St. Augustine: "You, O Lord, have created us for yourself, and our heart finds no rest, until it rests in You." His heart, so capable of strong affections and lofty sentiments, finds perfect peace in communion with God. This peace of heart he also feels in his sufferings, if he only preserves his confidence in God and his love for the Crucified. 

3. The melancholic is often a great benefactor to his fellow men. He guides others to God, is a good counselor in difficulties, and a prudent, trustworthy, and well meaning superior. He has great sympathy with his fellow men and a keen desire to help them. If the confidence in God supports the melancholic and encourages him to action, be is willing to make great sacrifices for his neighbor and is strong and unshakable in the battle for ideals. Schubert, in his Psychology, says of the melancholic nature: "It has been the prevailing mental disposition of the most sublime poets, artists, of the most profound thinkers, the greatest inventors, legislators, and especially of those spiritual giants who at their time made known to their nations the entrance to a higher and blissful world of the Divine! to which they themselves were carried by an insatiable longing."

Conclusion

This concludes the first part of understanding the melancholic temperament.  The next installment will discuss the "dark side" of the melancholic, and how those with such temperament should self-train for spiritual advancement. That post will conclude the first temperament under consideration. 

20 comments:

  1. I recognize myself a little in this temperament. I'm not someone who socializes (I'm my parents' only child and was bullied as a child), I have a tendency to seek solitude and I pray a lot, especially these days. I told you privately how I've been crying a lot recently because of my sins and with the Passion of Christ in mind. Today I understand that I have offended our sweet Lord who suffered for us. This Holy Week is a good opportunity to meditate on this great love.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Simon,
      Knowing your temperament and using it for spiritual advancement--like you're doing now--is most salutary, my friend! May you have a truly holy Holy Week, and a Blessed Easter!

      God Bless,

      ---Introibo

      Delete
    2. Simon,

      I'd like to share something I read recently:

      "A single tear shed in memory of the Passion of Christ outbalances a pilgrimage to Jerusalem, or a year's fast on bread and water" - St. Augustine.

      God Bless you,
      -Seeking Truth

      Delete
    3. Seeking Truth,

      thank you for sharing this beautiful quote! I needed to hear it and I'm sure there are many who feel the same way.

      Dear Introibo, Simon, Seeking Truth, and all the Readers of this fine blog,

      Happy Easter and may the Risen Lord bless you and your loved ones abundantly!

      Joanna

      Delete
    4. Joanna,
      A Blessed Easter to your family and you, my friend!

      God Bless,

      ---Introibo

      Delete
  2. Thanks, this was an uncomfortable read. I needed that. I hope the next installment is soon because I think I need that one too.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. @anon11:45
      Spiritual growth isn't, easy my friend, but it's always worthwhile! May you have a truly holy Holy Week, and a Blessed Easter!

      God Bless,

      ---Introibo

      Delete
  3. Your blog has so many good articles. So much good info here. I'm so glad I found this. Can't wait for your next article on the melancholic.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. @anon10:46
      Thank you so much for the kind words, my friend! I’m glad you like my blog and the information provided. The Four Temperaments will be completed by the end of 2024; I don’t know the exact date, so “stay tuned.”

      God Bless,

      —-Introibo

      Delete
  4. Introibo

    Just watched over a hour interview on youtube by St Anthony RadTrad with Bishop Pierre Roy of Canada. I must say I was very impressed . I don't understand why Bishop Charles McGuire did not support his consecration. A SSPX priest for years and then became a sedevacantist . He has a network of solid growing missions.Your thoughts

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. @anon2:48
      I have no idea why Bp. Maguire would not support the consecration. I've heard rumors (that's all they are) that Bp. Maguire did not have an adequate knowledge of Bp. Roy prior to his consecration. I have been too busy to investigate the matter further.

      I just hope things can be worked out.

      God Bless,

      ---Introibo

      Delete
  5. Hello

    What devotions do you say Introibo on Good Friday at home?

    Will you be able to get to all the Easter Triduum ceremonies?

    God bless

    GT

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. GT,
      I will be working, so unfortunately, I cannot make Holy Week services. On Good Friday (already here as I burn the proverbial midnight oil in NYC) I will pray the stations of the Cross and the Chaplet of the Seven Sorrows of Mary.

      God Bless,

      ---Introibo

      Delete
    2. Are Stations of the Cross mandatory during Lent? I didn't pray for them at all this Lent,ashamed to say.

      Happy Easter,
      Andrew

      Delete
    3. Andrew,
      The Stations of the Cross, while beautiful and an opportunity to grow closer to Our Lord, are never "mandatory"--if by that designation you mean "bind under pain of sin." You can pray them anytime you wish, not just Fridays, and not just Fridays in Lent--so make them the next chance you get, but no sin was committed.

      Happy Easter my friend,

      ---Introibo

      Delete
    4. Thank you.
      Happy Easter!
      AMDG,
      Andrew

      Delete
  6. Introibo,

    Well, this was great, thank you. I am learning more from this series than from anything I’ve learned in the past on the topic. I still am not confident in my temperament, so if anyone can suggest a good test online, I would appreciate it. I am dubious of the tests we have taken. Regardless, if I believe that some of a temperament’s characteristics apply to me, then I should act accordingly and strive to make the appropriate changes. Looking forward to the next post, whenever it comes.

    May God Bless you and your family this Easter season, my friend,
    -S.T.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Seeking Truth,
      A Blessed Easter to your family and you, my friend!

      God Bless,

      ---Introibo

      Delete
  7. Introibo

    A very blessed Easter to you

    As to you not being able to get to Holy Week services .I went to Easter morning Mass today and a few people said I should be ashamed of myself as I did not attend Holy Thursday or Good Friday at my Traditional Church . I am a heathcare professional and due to staff shortage , I could not get the time off . Do you think I should of taken sick days which is dishonest. I did my own devotions at home before working my afternoon shift .Your thoughts please.

    On another subject I once heard a priest say no one has the right to judge a persons spiritual progress except God .I do get fed up with folk who are always making judgements on others. Your thoughts too .

    Thank you

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. @anon5:11
      Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Holy Saturday are not Holy Days of obligation. God understands that people have work and family obligations that make attendance very difficult, if not impossible. As no sin was committed, you have nothing about which to feel ashamed; you are not required to take personal and/or sick leave to attend (yes, sick leave would be dishonest). You might need those days for your own sickness or family emergency, etc. The only ones who should feel shame are the busybodies who made those remarks to you.

      As to your second query, only God judges the internal forum. Your spiritual progress is between Him and you--and a spiritual director (priest) if you have one. The event you describe is unfortunate and distasteful. Next time you may want to say, "I don't remember asking you for spiritual advice, nor did I know you had authority to judge the state of another's soul. When you reach the spiritual perfection of the saints, please get back to me then."

      That should shut them up.

      Happy Easter and God Bless,

      ---Introibo

      Delete