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Sanguine Temperament

Sanguine temperament
The Sanguine temperament is one of the two extrovert temperaments.

The Sanguine temperament is wonderful – Sanguines are bubbly, outgoing people who make life fun. They are kind, compassionate and generous, their enthusiasm is infection and their energy unbounded.

However, unless they draw on their introvert temperament they can come across as superficial – if they only live in their Sanguine extrovert they can skate across the surface of life, not slowing down long enough to put roots down or establish deep relationships. They can be great fun and have lots of acquaintances – but also be very lonely. They are often fearful and restless and can be undisciplined and unreliable.

We all have at least two temperaments; we all have an introvert temperament. If a Sanguine doesn’t connect with the emotions in their introvert (for example, a Melancholic who is sensitive and cannot switch their feelings off) then the Sanguine will express those emotions physically and try and meet their emotional needs physically. This can take the shape of obsession with sport, struggling with eating issues or developing addictions. Emotional issues can only be properly addressed by looking at what is going on in the introvert, either Melancholic or Phlegmatic.
Sanguine strengths and weaknesses
The diagrams below depict the strengths of the Sanguine temperament, which can be seen most clearly when God is at the centre of life, and the weaknesses, which are most clearly seen when we live for ourselves.
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 Sanguine key concepts
  • Great fun
  • Afraid to look beneath the surface
  • On the move – slow down!
  • Neither the centre nor the edge
Sanguine avoidance tactic
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If you are talking to someone with the Choleric temperament and want to get close to them or try to help them, you may encounter the following avoidance tactics: ​his restlessness will be your biggest challenge. Body language, changing the subject, humour, numerous explanations and cleverly constructed arguments are all designed to put you off the trail. The Sanguine can take the conversation all over the place, talk too much, exaggerate and tie himself up in knots. Just when you think the rabbit is cornered he burrows down and pops up somewhere else. If you engage in that shift of conversation you will never tie him down to the truth.
 
He does not like pain and does anything he can to avoid looking at it so that his comfort can be restored. With his lovely qualities of warmth and compassion, he can be soft on himself – and others - and miss the point.

Further reading
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Article: Our problems should not surprise us

Andy has written a helpful article, drawing on his personal experiences as someone with the Sanguine Melancholic temperament, of breaking free from established patterns of depressive thoughts and feelings, and offers practical advice and hope to others.​

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​Article: How the Sanguine temperament interacts with the introvert temperaments 

Further insights into how the Sanguine temperament interacts with both the Melancholic and Phlegmatic introvert temperaments.

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Article: Understanding temperaments - strengths and weaknesses 

An exploration of the strengths and weaknesses of each temperament and how these principles work out in practice for the Sanguine Melancholic.


Return to - Understanding temperaments
Go to - Choleric - Melancholic - Phlegmatic temperaments
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  • Home
  • Church Community
    • About HCC
    • Our history
    • HCC Community - Worship songs
    • HCC Community - Thoughts and readings February 2021
    • HCC Community - Thoughts and readings January 2021
    • HCC Community - Thoughts and readings December 2020
  • Teaching
    • Sunday talks
    • Bible study
    • John's Bible Insights >
      • 'In Christ'
      • A weak conscience
      • When it all goes wrong
      • The practice run
      • Love in human form
    • Halesworth Community News articles
    • John's notebook
    • Tim's notebook
    • Merle's nature blog
    • Merle's reflections
    • Articles
  • Understanding Yourself
    • Introduction to understanding
    • Understanding temperaments
    • Understanding identity
    • Understanding depression
    • Understanding anxiety
    • Understanding ME/CFS
  • Understanding Family
    • Expectant parents
    • New arrivals
    • Understanding children
    • Family life
    • Understanding men
  • Courses
    • Online course
    • Understanding Children course
    • Understanding Yourself weekends