Melancholic

Melancholics are the thinkers, ponderers, and dreamers of the world. Often reserved and quiet, they enjoy being alone in their mental worlds of wonder and beauty. They make good philosophers, artists, musicians, and writers.

Dictionary.com says melancholics (pronounced mehl-an-kol-ics) are "gloomy and blue." This is true, as this type is more likely than any other to get so wrapped up in philosophy and deep thought that they become gloomy, mopey, and depressed.

Melancholics are often very kind and have big hearts for other people. They are sensitive, both for themselves and for others, and hate to see suffering in the world. On the other hand, they can also be quite wrapped up in their own "reality" to where they don't really see anything else.

Like the cholerics, melancholics are very structured and are perfectionistic. If they do something, they want to do it well. They stick to their endeavors--unless of course they get so discouraged and depressed they just give up! Teachers and bosses love melancholics, as these quiet, driven people will work tirelessly and usually exceed other's standards; on the other hand, this same perfectionism can be a curse, as they are never happy with their own or anyone else's work, and are often quite snippy and critical of others.

Melancholics do well with structure: lists, graphs, and clearly set expectations are where they function best. Disorganization is just likely to stress a melancholic out so much they can't get anything done. They don't make natural leaders like the choleric, because they tend to rely on themselves to get anything done and are not "people" people. Cholerics motivate others to succeed; melancholics criticize them and just do the job themselves. However, their organizational skills and creative minds make them good second-in-commands, and they like positions where they can be creative planners without the stress of directing others.

Of course, all this pondering and internal analysis can be great, but melancholics tend to go overboard with it, too. They can over-analyze and over-think anything, to the point they just wind up depressed and don't get anything done. They tend to be overly critical of themselves, not resting even after a job well done. They can also be terribly critical of others, especially their spouses and children, and never be happy with what is offered. They have deep, loving, and very sacrificial relationships with the few people they learn to trust and let into their "private circle," but they can also sulk over wrongs, internalize anger, become bitter and resentful, and play the martyr.

If you can learn to look past the criticisms and barbs inherent in a relationship with a melancholic, you will have a dedicated, loyal, and sacrificial friend for life. Melancholics are suspicious of people, and if you make it to their inner circle, they will give up everything for you, even while expecting the world of you.

Like the other personalities, melancholics in a loving, strong Christian relationship will be drawn to personalities that complement them. The choleric and sanguine's natural extroversion and people skills balance out the melancholic's antisocial tendencies. A choleric and melancholic together will both be very drawn to each other's organizational skills and dedication, and will achieve great things together--provided they not get caught up in being critical and blaming each other! A sanguine's naturally happy, cheerful disposition can lighten the melancholic's periods of depression, and a phlegmatic's laid-back disposition can help a melancholic not take life so seriously.

Of course, the more of his life a melancholic has given over to God, the more prominent his good qualities will be and the less prominent his bad ones will be. Melancholics make good humanitarians and activists, where they work tirelessly to make the world a better place and end suffering, if their natural depression and criticism don't overcome their naturally sensitive, loving hearts. They hate to see people suffer, and work to bring art and beauty into the world.