The Four Generations: Why You Do the Things You Do!

By Ayokunle Adeleye

It is said here that the human race can be divided by attitude into four; can it now? These four attitude-determined groups may very well be said to have been created along the planes of the temperaments. Thus, there are the Sanguine, the Choleric, the Melancholy and the Phlegmatic. Each one of these persons has his own inherent strengths and weaknesses.
Interestingly, mentioned here is 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?
Am I involved? Do you belong?
How are you involved? What can you learn?
Lets find out, together. As is said, learning never stops.
Come along now, please!

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse UK
• Release date: Jun 24, 2011
• ISBN: 9781456779146

Ayokunle Adeleye

Ayokunle Adeleye (Ayk) is currently a medical student at Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ogun State, Nigeria. He is in his early twenties and is interested in the lives of past characters and their application to modern lives, Christian or not. Accolades, reproofs, comments and enquiries may be sent to: [e-mail], or P. O. Box 1208, Sagamu, Ogun State, Nigeria, West Africa.

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© 2011 Ayokunle Adeleye. All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means without the written permission of the author.

First published by AuthorHouse 6/16/2011

ISBN: 978-1-4567-7913-9 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4567-7914-6 (e)

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models,

and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Thinkstock.

The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

Unless otherwise stated, Bible quotations or citations are from the King James’ Version 1611 (KJV).

The following versions of the Holy Scriptures were made use of within the allowed limits (less than 500 verses and less than 25% of entire work):

New World Translation   James Murdock New Testament

English Standard Version   Contemporary English Version

Weymouth New Testament   The Amplified Bible

God’s Word Translation   The Message

Original publishers’ rights reserved.

Contents

DEDICATION

PREFACE

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

CHAPTER ONE

THE ESSENCE

CHAPTER TWO

THE SANGUINE

CHAPTER THREE

THE CHOLERIC

CHAPTER FOUR

THE MELANCHOLY

CHAPTER FIVE

THE PHLEGMATIC

CHAPTER SIX

PETER the Sanguine

CHAPTER SEVEN

PAUL the Choleric

CHAPTER EIGHT

THOMAS the Melancholy

CHAPTER NINE

ABRAHAM the Phlegmatic

CHAPTER TEN

SAMSON a Sanguine?

CHAPTER ELEVEN

SARAH a Choleric?

CHAPTER TWELVE

MOSES a Melancholy?

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

AARON a Phlegmatic?

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

Sanguine JUDAS ISCARIOT!

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

Choleric ELISHA!

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

Melancholy JOB!

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

Phlegmatic JOHN the Beloved!

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

SANGUINES in Action

CHAPTER NINETEEN

CHOLERICS in Action

CHAPTER TWENTY

MELANCHOLIES in Action

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

PHLEGMATICS in Action

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

Erring SANGUINES

CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

Erring CHOLERICS

CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

Erring MELANCHOLIES

CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

Erring PHLEGMATICS

CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

THE SANGUINES’ PRIDE

CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN

THE CHOLERICS’ VORACIOUSNESS

CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT

THE MELANCHOLIES’ PESSIMISM

CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE

THE PHLEGMATICS’ SANCTIMONY

CHAPTER THIRTY

THE WAY OUT

Food for Thought

DEDICATION

To my parents who bore me, and bear me, as heavy as I am:

Olasupo Adebola Adeleye

and

Oluwatoyin Omotayo Adeleye.

PREFACE

Five years ago, I came in contact with Dr. Tim LaHaye’s temperament theory—well, that’s what I like to call it. My friends had read Why You Act the Way You Do, and, luckily for me, they were kind enough to diagnose me—at my behest of course. 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!

Meanwhile, the LaHayes had recruited Proverbs 30: 11-14 into their arsenal, and last year, I googled Tim LaHaye (or so) and stumbled upon a website castigating him for his inappropriate interpretation of this scripture. The generations, the argument went, could not possibly include diverse people; they must refer to a lineage. Little wonder I attacked that very argument in the very first of this book, The Essence.

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. However, this book is not intended to replace the LaHayes’; on the contrary, it is intended to complement them, reinforcing their voice. 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.

I have chosen biblical characters, not because the book is intended for Christians only, but because contemporary history is often controversial, and limited in appeal. (I doubt you will be interested in Retd. Gen. Ibrahim Babangida's temperament, or Chief Olusegun Obasanjo's, both of whom were former Nigerian Heads of State.)

I am not unaware of the limitation of my methodology: often times, we cannot be so certain of why those biblical characters did what they did or said what they said. For this reason, I have taken the liberty to comb the Bible for as many references as I could get. I sincerely hope you will patiently read them—and not be bored. Besides, He that observeth the wind shall not sow; and he that regardeth the clouds shall not reap. I had to make do with what I had. (Ecclesiastes 11: 4)

I am aware that there are temperament combinations (primary and secondary), but for the sake of simplicity and complementarity I have avoided this although I classified Haman as both Sanguine and Choleric, and mentioned that David is a blend of Sanguine and Melancholy.

Lastly, if I have been too critical for your liking, then am I sorry; I can’t make an omelette without breaking eggs!

I look forward to your comments. Lest I forget, this is just the tip of the iceberg. Watch out for my next book—definitely not on temperaments!

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

I am most grateful to GOD, the One who keeps me.

I will always be indebted to my father.

Motunrayo and Ayotunde, my siblings, were supportive. Many a time, merely discussing the temperaments with them lit up the bulb of my ingenuity.

Ayotola, my youngest sibling, was encouraging. In fact, her spontaneity it was that spurred me into action; I probably would have sat on the manuscript if she had not pushed me to publish. Plus, it was her idea that John the beloved was Phlegmatic, I did not know!

I appreciate Ifeanyi Nwanji and Taiwo Adekanye, my oldest best friends, for their enduring friendship. I am indebted to Ayeola Adelaarin who saved me and Blessing Ojo who taught me; both of them at critical points in my life.

Abiodun Okunola (Syllabus) got this book to the publishers—for which I owe him—and gives me something money would not buy. My AuthorHouse consultants (Maya Lang, John Erickson; Niki Manbeck, Margaret Michna; Kalilla Cassidy, Jessie Klingler; Jerry Branzuela) and the entire Team Gambia are due for many thanks for their patience, perseverance, understanding and above all their ingenuity, as is Mrs. Onayiga of my church, Pentecostal Peoples’ Church, Ayepe Road, Sagamu, Ogun State, for reading the manuscript and offering profitable suggestions amidst kind words of encouragement. Many an applause is due to my reviewers: ’Tola Odunaike, Oluwatosin Afolabi, ’Jide Animasahun, Pharm. Olubunmi Ogunkoya, and Mrs. Omolara Osifeso of Obafemi Awolowo College of Health Sciences, Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ogun State; I couldn’t have had it easy without you!

My avuncular daddies, Mr. Adedotun Sulaiman and Pastor Oladapo Adeleye, were very supportive. I appreciate them both.

My friends and colleagues (past and present) who have had to put up with me, most especially my classmates, the 2005/2006 OOU Medicine intakes, thank you.

Every one of my teachers, past and present, got me where I am today. You will remain my heroes. My pastors kept me in the Word of God, which became the cornerstone of this book. I could not have done this without them.

Everyone I have ever met influenced my life one way or the other. I appreciate their choosing to meet me, a nobody.

My daddy, Mr. Owofemi Oladimeji, Executive Vice-Chairman, Multi-Trex Integrated Foods Plc., has been supportive; as have been my mummies, Mrs. Popoola, Mrs. Odekhiran, Mrs. Arowolo, and Ms. Shaba.

Dr. Tim LaHaye cannot be forgotten for his books inspired mine; nor can his wife, Beverly.

I must not forget the translators of all the Bible versions I used. Without their pioneering work, this book would have remained in my head, and as a dream that drives me crazy:

King James’ Version

New World Translation

James Murdock New Testament

English Standard Version

Contemporary English Version

Weymouth New Testament

The Amplified Bible

God’s Word Translation

The Message

And unforgettable is Myn, Moyoninuoluwa Oluwafisayo Oyetunji. This is where my canary runs out of words.

Yet, much more unforgettable is J, Jesuloluwa Ayotunde Jeminusi. Thank you for being supportive, and for believing in me, and for holding the fort.

SECTION A:

welcome

PART I:

introduction

CHAPTER ONE

THE ESSENCE

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.

Even the Bible is divided into the New Testament of 27 books, and the Old Testament of 39. And even these are further divided & classified. It then comes as no surprise that humans can also be classified, temperament-wise, into extroverts, the expressive ones, and introverts, the not-so-expressive ones. There are two distinguishable categories of extroverts: the Sanguine, who talks a lot, and the Choleric, who would rather employ force as opposed to words in expressing himself. Likewise, there are two categories of introverts: the moody Melancholy and the amenable yet dogged Phlegmatic.

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.

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.

The Bible says, assuringly, in Proverbs 30: 11-14,

"There is a generation that curseth their father, and doth not bless their mother.

There is a generation that are pure in their own eyes, and yet is not washed from their filthiness.

There is a generation, O how lofty are their eyes! and their eyelids are lifted up.

There is a generation, whose teeth are as swords, and their jaw teeth as knives, to devour the poor from off the earth, and the needy from among men."

The term generation can have two possible meanings as used here. It could refer to a lineage (where members are related by blood, by birth; …great-grandfather to grandfather to father to son to grandson to great-grandson…)

"Tell ye your children of it, and let your children