Présentation des tempéraments - Tempérament MÉLANCOLIQUE - Abbé Xavier ROLLAND

THE FOUR TEMPERAMENTS WHAT IS A TEMPERAMENT? Human nature, wounded by original sin, is repaired by Baptism, sanctifying grace with its attendant theological, cardinal, and moral virtues. Grace does not destroy nature, but elevates it by sanctifying it. The wounds of original sin (ignorance, malice, weakness, concupiscence) remain within us, even after Baptism; we must therefore know our nature in order to combat bad tendencies and nurture good ones. Each of us has our own way of reacting to a strong impression or emotion, with varying degrees of excitability: this is what we call "temperament." It is given to us by God and cannot change. The qualities and defects of our temperament form "character," which can be transformed by the repetition of virtuous acts and the struggle against defects. A temperament is neither a moral weakness nor a sin, but simply a general indication of certain natural qualities and weaknesses willed and permitted by God. We must make the most of the temperament our Creator has given us, with the help of His grace. It is said that Our Lord Jesus Christ must have had in His human nature a perfect blend of the four great temperaments. Saints can be found in each category of temperament: Saint Jerome was deeply choleric, Saint Mary Magdalene deeply melancholic... It is quite rare to have a completely pure temperament; most of the time, we have within us a mixture of a principal or primary temperament (the one that is often immediately evident in us) and a secondary temperament (more discreet and hidden).