Temperance is moderation in actions, thoughts, and feelings. It is being self-aware enough to recognize when one is going to an extreme and exercise the self-control/self-disciple necessary to restrain those impulses. Because being in control of one’s instincts, prevents one from becoming arrogant, selfish, immodest, and insensitive.
It is the avoidance of excess via the recognition of how to act correctly and the self-discipline to follow through. Temperate people tend to be humble, modest, and forgiving, which makes them less likely to go to extremes. They also demonstrate the self-discipline to pull themselves back from excess and do the right thing.
Temperance may sound confining, as in no fun, but it is the opposite. Temperance is freeing. The intemperate person finds themself the victim of their irrational impulses. The alcoholic is unrestrained with drink, and thus the alcohol controls his life. The self-discipline of temperance frees us from our extravagance and saves us a lot of shame for things we have done and later regret (and hangovers.)
Strengths included in this virtue are those that protect against excess:
• Forgiveness and mercy
• Humility and modesty
• Prudence
• Self-Regulation and Self-control
The temperate life may at first seem dull, but the reality is that prudence and self-discipline are virtues that free us from vice and excess. It may sound counter-intuitive at first, but discipline equals freedom.
