NOTE: We strongly suggest that you do not attempt to use this information to self-diagnose. This information is for the definition of the Melancholy temperament only. There are 3 areas that we profile, so you may NOT be a specific temperament in the area that you think you are! Please contact The Penewit Center for an accurate profile of all 3 areas of your complete Temperament.
Melancholies are wonderful people who tend to be great thinkers and are genius prone. They are very artistic and creative and are often found alone in thought. The Melancholy has made more discoveries than any other temperament because of this prolific thinking. Their mood follows their thought process, if they think up then their mood is up, if they think down then their mood goes down. They are perfectionistic and slow paced who have great understanding of tasks and systems. These people also have a critical and challenging mind, able to see both the pitfalls and the end result of a project undertaken. If you want a project to go smooth, get a melancholy involved as they will be able to see from one end of the project to the other and show you all the pitfalls. They are extremely persistent, self-sacrificing people who will work relentlessly to bring about changes for the betterment of mankind. If you see a co-worker working late into the night or see a volunteer manning the phones of the local hot-line all night living on coffee and going without sleep, you are probably looking at a Melancholy. If you are seeing a person who will suffer humiliations and indignities living in a backward country bringing the work of God, you are probably seeing a Spirit-controlled Melancholy.
The Melancholy temperament is one of the more prevalent temperaments that we see in profiles. Hippocrates referred to the Melancholy as "the black temperament" No other color can describe this temperament better, for no other temperament is so tormented by "black moods" as the Melancholy. These temperaments can be thrown into a deep black depression by thinking alone. This is because the Melancholy has a mind that won't shut off, and the amount of energy this temperament generates by thinking alone is phenomenal. The Melancholy is susceptible to deep depression that can last for days, weeks or even months. This causes this temperament to go into "self destruct mode" that can result in alcoholism, drug addiction or sexual addiction.
Melancholies are plagued by low self-esteem and the fear of rejection because they don't like themselves. They reject people first if they perceive that they could be rejected and are loners. Inside they are unsure of themselves even though they may appear to be competent and in control. However, anger is common in Melancholies if they cannot live up to their own standards. If they have become hurt or rejected, they become angry; this anger is very deep-seated. They are "grudge holders" who get mad then they get even, or they take vengeance on the person who wronged them. Melancholies can be very ingenious when it comes to getting even.
