The FOUR Generations

“Humans have always classified things. For example, many scholars once believed all people could be classified into one of three main races: (1) Caucasoid, or “white”; (2) Negroid, or “black”; and (3) Mongoloid, or “yellow.” These races corresponded roughly to the geographic areas of Europe, sub-Saharan Africa, and Asia, respectively. However, some people did not fit neatly into any of these races. For example, the Aboriginal people of Australia have dark skin similar to tropical Africans. But some Aboriginal people have blond hair, unlike most Africans. Were they Negroid or Caucasoid? Some scholars added a new race, Australian, to avoid the problem. The peoples of southern India and Sri Lanka, who have dark skin like tropical Africans but facial features and hair like Europeans, posed a similar classification problem. Again, some scientists added an Indian race.” Which are you? However, classifying does not intend to take away the uniqueness of the classified, nor does it imply that the classified are not unique in the first place. Take fingerprints for example: even identical twins are said to have dissimilar ones, yet they are classified into arches, loops, whorls, etc. Wouldn’t you agree? It then comes as no surprise that humans can also be classified. It has been said that when a baby is put in a cot against its will, there are at least four possible reactions: 1. The baby cries and shouts as if demanding for his release. 2. The baby sits moodily in a corner as if the world were at its end. 3. The baby takes solace in the company of whatever toys are available as if accepting his fate. 4. The baby smiles and giggles whenever someone approaches as if charming his way out of the cot. Baby 1 would be classified as a Choleric; Baby 2 as a Melancholy; Baby 3, a Phlegmatic; and Baby 4, a Sanguine. And there’s more. Each one of these groups has its own inherent strengths and weaknesses. Interestingly, ‘here’ is mentioned, not just a weakness, but the paramount, and perhaps defining, weakness of each temperament: the Sanguine's pride, the Choleric's voraciousness, the Melancholy's pessimism, and the Phlegmatic's sanctimony! But where is ‘here’? Many people have wondered why the most talented of the temperaments is also the most plagued; the Sanguine is too lively to be moody; the Choleric gives ulcers that he seldom has; and the Phlegmatic is too unbothered to be bothered by such. Little wonder the Melancholy is plagued by black moods; little wonder the Melancholy is often suicidal at one point of his life or the other. Find out why... Perhaps one need look no further, unfortunately. And permit me to speculate here: Don't the geniuses, past and present, of this world die remarkably early? ... Five years ago, I came in contact with Dr. Tim LaHaye's temperament theory—well, that's what I like to call it. But it wasn't until a year or so afterwards that I got to read the book for myself. I was impressed. Needless to say, I begun seeing people through temperament-coloured lenses. But I didn't stop there; I tried to proselytize. As with every other controversial theory I hit a couple of stonewalls the most impressive of which were: The theory does not apply to everybody. There are very few complying examples. People are just too complex to be analysed. Ironically, even the objectors were acting in line with the very theory they wouldn't believe: their reasoning and vigour were tainted by their temperaments; most times, you could tell or confirm their temperaments by the way they're opposing you! As you must have realised by now, these and other issues prompted me to write this book, and shaped my presentation of the facts therein. Among other things, I thought to provide a vast array of examples. I suppose I need not explain why there are so many examples; they're to convince you of the universality of the theory, as well as increase your understanding of it. Hence, the essence of this book is to attempt to reveal the depth, pervasiveness and practicality of the ‘Sanguine-Choleric-Melancholy-Phlegmatic system’ and in the process provide examples to as many facets of this ‘system’ as deemed possible so that you can make use of this treasure. As well as to examine why the Melancholy is who he is: easily depressed, moody, etc. You just might have a Melancholy as a husband, wife, son, daughter, neighbour, colleague or politician. Shouldn’t you care? How can you help? What about you? Let’s find out, together. Come along now, please! Remember, learning never stops.