Strengths and Weaknesses
It is temperament that makes some people art and music enthusiasts while others are sports or industry minded. Temperament sets broad guidelines on everyone’s behavior, patterns which will influence a person as long as he lives. Each temperament has its own unique qualities and shortcomings, strengths and challenges. What accounts for these differences?
To use the idea of temperament most effectively, it is important to understand that the four temperaments are not simply arbitrary collections of characteristics, but spring from an interaction of the two basic dimensions of human behavior: our communication and our action, our words and our deeds, or, simply,
what we say and what we do.
Isn’t it interesting that some people talk about reality, while others talk about ideas. Some people do what works, while others do what’s right. The bottom line is each person has the choice to develop his natural temperament strengths and overcome his natural temperament weaknesses. To what degree this occurs depends on the individual’s motivation. It is possible to learn how to control and overcome the natural weaknesses associated with a temperament blend.
“It is of benefit furthermore to recognize one's temperament. Only if one knows it, can he judge correctly himself, his moods, his peculiarities, his past life. If one knows one's own temperament, he can work out his own perfection with greater assurance, because finally the whole effort toward self-perfection consists in the perfection of his strengths and in the combating of his weaknesses.
Thus the Choleric will have to conquer his obstinacy, his anger, and his pride; the Melancholic, his lack of courage and his dread of suffering; the Sanguine, his talkativeness and his inconsistency; the Phlegmatic, his laziness and his lack of energy. The person who knows himself will become more humble, realizing that many good traits which he considered to be virtues are merely good dispositions and the natural result of his temperament, rather than acquired virtues.
Consequently the Choleric will judge more humbly of his strong will, his energy, and his fearlessness; the Sanguine of his cheerfulness, of his facility to get along well with difficult persons; the Melancholic will judge more humbly about his sympathy for others, about his love for solitude; the Phlegmatic about his good nature and his repose of mind.” [1]
“Temperament is innate in each person, therefore it cannot be exchanged for another temperament. But one can and must cultivate and perfect the good elements of his temperament and combat and eradicate the undesirable ones. Every temperament is in itself good and with each one man can do good and work out his salvation. With God’s strength this is possible. “I can do everything through Christ who gives me strength” (Phil. 4:13). It is, therefore, imprudent and ungrateful to wish to have another temperament. "All the spirits shall praise the Lord" (Ps. 150: 6).” [2]
[1] ./the-four-temperaments-by-rev-conrad-hock/ pg 10
[2] ./the-four-temperaments-by-rev-conrad-hock/ pg 11
Strengths of a Choleric Weaknesses of a Choleric
Practical Demanding
Quick thinker Domineering
Good trouble shooters Easily bored
Enthusiastic Easily annoyed
Will not give up Impatient
Great ambition Bossy and arrogant
Fearless and courageous Quick tempered
Passion to win Can’t relax
Thrilled with opposition Too impetuous
Yearns for great things Inflexible
Intelligent Is not complimentary
Does not complain Unsympathetic
Born leader Dislikes emotions
Strong willed Little tolerance for mistakes
Not easily discouraged Can be rude or tactless
Independent Sarcastic
Exudes confidence Critical
Delegates work well Must be in control
Makes the goal Pride, has inflated ego
Stimulates others Holds a grudge
Excels in emergencies Revengeful
Visionary His plan is always the best
Likes pressure Tends to use people
Self-reliant Decides for others
Energetic Can do everything better
Daring, risk taker Can’t say “I’m sorry”
Decisive Too independent
Determined Too busy for family
Doer May make rash decisions
Direct Tends to over dominate
Wants results Enjoys controversy, arguments
Likes to achieve “Knows everything”
Goal-oriented
Strengths of a Sanguine Weaknesses of a Sanguine
Appealing personality Compulsive talker
Life of the party Has loud voice and laugh
Talkative, storyteller Too happy for some
Good sense of humor Exaggerates, elaborates
Holds on to listeners Dwells on trivia
Emotional and demonstrative Can’t remember names
Enthusiastic and expressive Egotistical
Cheerful and bubbling over Has restless energy
Loves people Naïve, gets taken in
Good on stage Gets angry easily
Sincere heart, wants to give Controlled by circumstances
Lives in the present Seems phony to some
Motivates others Very loud, boisterous
Makes friends easily Disorganized
Realist Sloppy housekeepers
Great salespeople Has trouble listening
Entertaining Can’t relax, always on go
Optimistic Doesn’t follow through
Tender and compassionate Impulsive
Energetic Must be with people
Likes spontaneous activities Hates to be alone
Envied by others Needs to be center stage
Apologizes quickly Gets angry easily
Doesn’t hold grudges Makes excuses
Creative and colorful Fickle and forgetful
Makes home fun Undisciplined
Trusting Cannot say no
Likes to play Weak willed
Charms others to work Very insecure – lack of self-esteem
Thrives on compliments Interrupts and doesn’t listen
Inspires others to join Wants to be popular
Changeable disposition Dominates conversations
Turns disaster into humor Repeats stories
Volunteers for jobs Forgets obligations
Looks great on the surface Answers for others
Strengths of a Phlegmatic Weaknesses of a Phlegmatic
Steady, not moved easily Introvert
Patient Watcher, not doer
Free from stress, tend not to worry Meets requirements, then stops
Lives balanced life Must be re-started after project
Meek, most gentle people on planet Unenthusiastic
In control of themselves Can be very stubborn
In control of their environment Not team players
Comfortable with themselves Lazy, gets tired easily
Stays focused on project, gets it done Struggles with motivating themselves
Dry sense of humor Tormented by fear
Very witty Indecisive about the next step
Dependable Avoids responsibilities, extra burdens
Practical and efficient, conserves energy Hides real feelings, emotions
Calm, cool, collected Can be selfish, want their way
Brings peace to the workplace Can be too compromising
Makes a very good parent Self-righteous, everyone else is wrong
Takes quality time with their children May think they don’t need God
Family comes first Not tidy in their home
Strong spiritual leaders Do not discipline well
Peaceful and agreeable Not goal oriented
Good administrative skills Discourages others
Good leaders Stay un-involved
Good mediators Must be nudged to participate
Tough projects do not worry him Last one to get involved
Very good under pressure Hard to get excited
Self-sufficient Tendency to judge others
Has gift of temperance Teases extroverts - they annoy him
Gets involved when he feels needed Resists change
Has gift of longsuffering Can be sarcastic
Easy to get along with Procrastinates
Do not offend others Critical of people who expend energy
Walks away from arguments Holds grudges
Good listeners Complacent
Predictable Possessive
Strengths of a Melancholy Weaknesses of a Melancholy
Deep and thoughtful Moody and depressed
Reserved Candidate for manic depression
Analytical Does not forgive easily
Talented, creative Enjoys being hurt
Artistic, musical Low self-image
Communes easily with God Has a false humility
Prayer warriors Off in another world
Perfectionist Critical of self and others
Faithful, devoted friend Self-centered, self examining
Appreciates beauty Very suspicious
Sensitive Demands privacy
Self-sacrificing Too introspective
Conscientious Feelings of persecution
Idealist Hypochondriac
Logical Lingers on past hurts, seems to enjoy it
Peaceful Broods over things
Agreeable Absorbed by his thoughts
Good problem solver Hard to get along with, turns people off
Organized Pessimistic, always remembers negative
Neat, tidy Very proud
Great teacher Can be impractical
Encourages others Slow to make a decision
Controlled self-discipline Does not live in the present
Empathetic to others Selective hearing
Good listeners and counselors Resentful when not appreciated
Inventive Too meticulous for children
Have discernment of Spirit Loses confidence in others
Happy to be in the backround Exasperated by disorder
Fruit of longsuffering Dwells on guilt
Does not get upset easily Deep need for approval
Avoids conflicts Sets very high, hard standards
Makes lifelong friends Hard to please
Open to receiving wisdom Hard to meet up to his standards
Believes in “letter of the law”
Has controlled self-discipline
To use the idea of temperament most effectively, it is important to understand that the four temperaments are not simply arbitrary collections of characteristics, but spring from an interaction of the two basic dimensions of human behavior: our communication and our action, our words and our deeds, or, simply,
what we say and what we do.
Isn’t it interesting that some people talk about reality, while others talk about ideas. Some people do what works, while others do what’s right. The bottom line is each person has the choice to develop his natural temperament strengths and overcome his natural temperament weaknesses. To what degree this occurs depends on the individual’s motivation. It is possible to learn how to control and overcome the natural weaknesses associated with a temperament blend.
“It is of benefit furthermore to recognize one's temperament. Only if one knows it, can he judge correctly himself, his moods, his peculiarities, his past life. If one knows one's own temperament, he can work out his own perfection with greater assurance, because finally the whole effort toward self-perfection consists in the perfection of his strengths and in the combating of his weaknesses.
Thus the Choleric will have to conquer his obstinacy, his anger, and his pride; the Melancholic, his lack of courage and his dread of suffering; the Sanguine, his talkativeness and his inconsistency; the Phlegmatic, his laziness and his lack of energy. The person who knows himself will become more humble, realizing that many good traits which he considered to be virtues are merely good dispositions and the natural result of his temperament, rather than acquired virtues.
Consequently the Choleric will judge more humbly of his strong will, his energy, and his fearlessness; the Sanguine of his cheerfulness, of his facility to get along well with difficult persons; the Melancholic will judge more humbly about his sympathy for others, about his love for solitude; the Phlegmatic about his good nature and his repose of mind.” [1]
“Temperament is innate in each person, therefore it cannot be exchanged for another temperament. But one can and must cultivate and perfect the good elements of his temperament and combat and eradicate the undesirable ones. Every temperament is in itself good and with each one man can do good and work out his salvation. With God’s strength this is possible. “I can do everything through Christ who gives me strength” (Phil. 4:13). It is, therefore, imprudent and ungrateful to wish to have another temperament. "All the spirits shall praise the Lord" (Ps. 150: 6).” [2]
[1] ./the-four-temperaments-by-rev-conrad-hock/ pg 10
[2] ./the-four-temperaments-by-rev-conrad-hock/ pg 11
Strengths of a Choleric Weaknesses of a Choleric
Practical Demanding
Quick thinker Domineering
Good trouble shooters Easily bored
Enthusiastic Easily annoyed
Will not give up Impatient
Great ambition Bossy and arrogant
Fearless and courageous Quick tempered
Passion to win Can’t relax
Thrilled with opposition Too impetuous
Yearns for great things Inflexible
Intelligent Is not complimentary
Does not complain Unsympathetic
Born leader Dislikes emotions
Strong willed Little tolerance for mistakes
Not easily discouraged Can be rude or tactless
Independent Sarcastic
Exudes confidence Critical
Delegates work well Must be in control
Makes the goal Pride, has inflated ego
Stimulates others Holds a grudge
Excels in emergencies Revengeful
Visionary His plan is always the best
Likes pressure Tends to use people
Self-reliant Decides for others
Energetic Can do everything better
Daring, risk taker Can’t say “I’m sorry”
Decisive Too independent
Determined Too busy for family
Doer May make rash decisions
Direct Tends to over dominate
Wants results Enjoys controversy, arguments
Likes to achieve “Knows everything”
Goal-oriented
Strengths of a Sanguine Weaknesses of a Sanguine
Appealing personality Compulsive talker
Life of the party Has loud voice and laugh
Talkative, storyteller Too happy for some
Good sense of humor Exaggerates, elaborates
Holds on to listeners Dwells on trivia
Emotional and demonstrative Can’t remember names
Enthusiastic and expressive Egotistical
Cheerful and bubbling over Has restless energy
Loves people Naïve, gets taken in
Good on stage Gets angry easily
Sincere heart, wants to give Controlled by circumstances
Lives in the present Seems phony to some
Motivates others Very loud, boisterous
Makes friends easily Disorganized
Realist Sloppy housekeepers
Great salespeople Has trouble listening
Entertaining Can’t relax, always on go
Optimistic Doesn’t follow through
Tender and compassionate Impulsive
Energetic Must be with people
Likes spontaneous activities Hates to be alone
Envied by others Needs to be center stage
Apologizes quickly Gets angry easily
Doesn’t hold grudges Makes excuses
Creative and colorful Fickle and forgetful
Makes home fun Undisciplined
Trusting Cannot say no
Likes to play Weak willed
Charms others to work Very insecure – lack of self-esteem
Thrives on compliments Interrupts and doesn’t listen
Inspires others to join Wants to be popular
Changeable disposition Dominates conversations
Turns disaster into humor Repeats stories
Volunteers for jobs Forgets obligations
Looks great on the surface Answers for others
Strengths of a Phlegmatic Weaknesses of a Phlegmatic
Steady, not moved easily Introvert
Patient Watcher, not doer
Free from stress, tend not to worry Meets requirements, then stops
Lives balanced life Must be re-started after project
Meek, most gentle people on planet Unenthusiastic
In control of themselves Can be very stubborn
In control of their environment Not team players
Comfortable with themselves Lazy, gets tired easily
Stays focused on project, gets it done Struggles with motivating themselves
Dry sense of humor Tormented by fear
Very witty Indecisive about the next step
Dependable Avoids responsibilities, extra burdens
Practical and efficient, conserves energy Hides real feelings, emotions
Calm, cool, collected Can be selfish, want their way
Brings peace to the workplace Can be too compromising
Makes a very good parent Self-righteous, everyone else is wrong
Takes quality time with their children May think they don’t need God
Family comes first Not tidy in their home
Strong spiritual leaders Do not discipline well
Peaceful and agreeable Not goal oriented
Good administrative skills Discourages others
Good leaders Stay un-involved
Good mediators Must be nudged to participate
Tough projects do not worry him Last one to get involved
Very good under pressure Hard to get excited
Self-sufficient Tendency to judge others
Has gift of temperance Teases extroverts - they annoy him
Gets involved when he feels needed Resists change
Has gift of longsuffering Can be sarcastic
Easy to get along with Procrastinates
Do not offend others Critical of people who expend energy
Walks away from arguments Holds grudges
Good listeners Complacent
Predictable Possessive
Strengths of a Melancholy Weaknesses of a Melancholy
Deep and thoughtful Moody and depressed
Reserved Candidate for manic depression
Analytical Does not forgive easily
Talented, creative Enjoys being hurt
Artistic, musical Low self-image
Communes easily with God Has a false humility
Prayer warriors Off in another world
Perfectionist Critical of self and others
Faithful, devoted friend Self-centered, self examining
Appreciates beauty Very suspicious
Sensitive Demands privacy
Self-sacrificing Too introspective
Conscientious Feelings of persecution
Idealist Hypochondriac
Logical Lingers on past hurts, seems to enjoy it
Peaceful Broods over things
Agreeable Absorbed by his thoughts
Good problem solver Hard to get along with, turns people off
Organized Pessimistic, always remembers negative
Neat, tidy Very proud
Great teacher Can be impractical
Encourages others Slow to make a decision
Controlled self-discipline Does not live in the present
Empathetic to others Selective hearing
Good listeners and counselors Resentful when not appreciated
Inventive Too meticulous for children
Have discernment of Spirit Loses confidence in others
Happy to be in the backround Exasperated by disorder
Fruit of longsuffering Dwells on guilt
Does not get upset easily Deep need for approval
Avoids conflicts Sets very high, hard standards
Makes lifelong friends Hard to please
Open to receiving wisdom Hard to meet up to his standards
Believes in “letter of the law”
Has controlled self-discipline