MANY, many years ago, Greek physician Hippocrates conceptualized the character and personality of a person through the four temperaments.
It was said that the bodily fluids in our bodies or the “humors” can determine these temperaments. There are humors more dominant than the other. This dominant humor can help medicine men find the treatment for their illnesses.
Here are the four temperaments and their predominant humors:
u2022 Sanguine – blood
• Phlegmatic – phlegm
• Choleric – yellow bile
• Melancholic – black bile
Although it is said that one humor is more dominant than the other, it is possible that we can be a combination of more than two temperaments. It can also depend upon one’s role in life.
Today, it has mixed reviews. Many people believe that the characteristics are still true today but there are a few who says no. Some of the descriptions are similar to other personality theories.
One needs to answer the personality profile to identify their own temperaments. Many recognize themselves in these temperaments including me.
The four temperaments are:
u2022 Powerful Choleric
• Popular Sanguine
• Perfect Melancholic
• Peaceful Phlegmatic
The last temperament is the Peaceful Phlegmatic. The peaceful phlegmatic is an introvert, a pessimist and a watcher. They are the people who are easygoing and relaxed. They avoid conflict.
Here are some of their emotions and other traits:
Emotions
u2022 Low key personality
• Easygoing and relaxed
• Calm, cool and collected
• Consistent life
• Quiet but witty
• Sympathetic and kind
• Keeps emotions hidden
• Happily reconciled to life
• All purpose person
At work
• Competent and steady
• Peaceful and agreeable
• Has administrative ability
• Mediates problems
• Avoids conflicts
• Good under pressure
• Finds the easy way
As a friend
u2022 Easy to get along with
• Pleasant and enjoyable
• Inoffensive
• Good listener
• Dry sense of humor
• Enjoys watching people
• Has many friends
• Has compassion and concern
To whom can you relate to - the popular sanguine (enthusiastic, active and social), the powerful choleric (short-tempered, fast or irritable), the perfect melancholic (analytical, wise and quiet) or the peaceful phlegmatic (relaxed and peaceful)?
You know yourself best.