Bound in Love

The pattern of inclinations and reactions that proceed from the physiological constitution of the individual. Something permanent that admits of only secondary modification. (OUR WIRING.)

Sanguine Temperament

• Reacts quickly and strongly to almost any stimulation or impression
• Reaction is usually of short duration
• Remembrance of past experiences does not easily arouse a new response.
• Usually have a serene view of life and are optimists.
• Tend to idealize rather than criticize.
• Alert intellects, learn quickly if not deeply
• Principal defects: superficiality, inconstancy, sensuality, hasty judgements
• Quickly repent of sins, easily return to them.

Melancholic Temperament

• Difficult to arouse, but after repeated impressions the reaction is strong and listing; does not forget easily.
• Inclined to reflection, piety, the interior life, compassionate to the suffering, attracted to corporal works of mercy, endure suffering heroically.
• Sharp intellect, thorough thinkers; may become detached in their intellectual interior.
• Normally do not experience the vehement passions that may torment the sanguine.
• Exaggerated tendency to sadness, magnify difficulties; excessive reserve, scrupulosity. Suffer in silence; do not reveal themselves, tend toward pessimism.

Choleric Temperament

• Reacts quickly and strongly to almost any stimulation or impression
• Impression lasts a long time
• Inclined to practical action (work) rather than theoretical speculation
• Quick to work the plan made/direction chosen; likewise to overcome obstacles
• Postively channeled: great saints; negatively channeled: great sinners
• Principal defects: obstinancy, insensitivity to others’ feelings, tactlessness, impatience
• Can be of great worth if they succeed in controlling and guiding their energies
• Key to spiritual growth: cultivate true humility of heart

Phlegmatic Temperament

• Emotions rarely aroused, and if so, only weakly
• Work slowly but assiduously, tranquil, discreet, sober
• Great deal of commonsense and mental balance
• Do not possess
  • the inflammable passions of the sanguine temperament
  • the deep passions of the melancholic temperament
  • the ardent passions of the choleric temperament
• Defects: tendency toward remoteness; disengaged from events and people around them

Using Temperaments in Self-Examination

• Temperaments are our wiring.
• The Devil uses our wiring against us.
• Together with a Root Sin analysis, we have greater understanding in how we are attacked by the Devil and why those attacks are successful.
• Habits are “dwellings of behavior” – Temperaments help/hinder formation of good habits, replacement of bad habits.