Piety and Personality: The Temperaments of the Saints

This book was a fascinating look at the saints and their temperaments. Most helpful to me was seeing how Our Lord filled in where the saints were lacking, in order to bring them to perfection. It was a great consolation to me to read examples of each temperament reaching sainthood-it gives me hope that, in cooperation with God’s grace, I can get there too.

I’ve been curious about the four temperaments for a while now. I knew very little about them going into this book and by the end I had learned so much. I really appreciated how Berry elaborated on the definition of each temperament: melancholic, choleric, phlegmatic, and sanguine. I also liked that she recommended how to search for an online quiz to help determine the reader’s temperament so that more could be understood from each of the saintly examples. What wonderful saintly examples and what encouragement when I realized the traits I have are not necessarily the negative I previously thought them to be. Each trait, applied correctly, can help us and those around us as we strive for Heaven. And what a blessing those who are different from me are. I could see how they help balance out some of my traits. I highly recommend reading this book to not only learn about the personality traits, but also about these great saints and how their traits helped and even hindered them. Thank you to Tan Books for the copy of this book. All views are my own.

"Know yourself!" An understanding of the traditional personality types known as the "four temperments" has been a great help to many. The idea is based on the various combination of 2 personality concepts - the speed of the reaction to an impression, and the duration of the impression. For those seeking to increase in understanding and charity, as well as honest humility and self-awareness, I might say there is no better concept offered to us at the natural level - especially if you are raising children! (Might I say teenagers in particular!) Unfortunately, it is not well known in this day and age, as the sources available to the average reader are brief and dry at best. The author does a fine job of overcoming this limitation with detailed examples and anecdotes presented in an easy to read and entertaining format. Be warned - while the temperaments are easy to understand in principle, it is easy to misuse them as a means of categorizing people and judging them. In this regard, I commend the author for her detailed and well researched examples - the saints are the best examples of natural inclinations used for the service of God while overcoming a corresponding weakness, as by the grace of God they increase in virtue. Due to the subjective nature of personal observation, and their own temperament, the reader may not always agree with the conclusions of the author in various particulars, but I highly recommend the book to any person looking to live a sincere live of humility and charity. Read it and know the saints better...read it and know yourself better!

Even as a temperament geek, I was very happy to find out that I have the same temperament as Teresa of Avila. How cool is that?

St. Augustine said, "Let me know myself, let me know thee." As a temperament geek, I was surprised to learn a few things I didn't know. Looks like I have the same temperament as Teresa of Avila! Awesome book, if you really want to understand why you, your spouse and your children behave as they do.

This book is a really interesting read! I'm a sanguine who gets bored when I read, but Rosemary McGuire Berry, also a sanguine, writes in a way that keeps the reader wanting to read more!

Engaging writing. I am learning so much about the saints and temperaments! I am not a fast reader but I am loving this book and can’t put it down.