Continuing our look at the virtues, today we look at the cardinal virtue of temperance. Temperance is often described as self-control, discretion or even moderation. It is a moral virtue that moderates the attraction of pleasures and provides balance in the use of created goods. It ensures the will’s mastery over instincts and keeps desires within the limits of what is honorable (CCC 1809). The temperate person directs the sensitive appetites toward what is good and maintains a healthy discretion: “Do not follow your inclination and strength, walking according to the desires of your heart.” (Sirach 5:2)

Temperance is the virtue we employ when we say to ourselves “Don’t lose your temper” because it helps us remain patient and not give into frustration or anger. Temperance is the virtue we call upon when we live the phrase “all good things in moderation.” The goods of the earth are meant for our sustenance and enjoyment but they are to be enjoyed within the limits of God’s will and God’s law. Thus enjoying some chocolate or a good stake is enjoyable but too much of them at one sitting or even over a span of time is not good for the body or the palate. It is temperance that helps us say no to lust, sexual temptations and unbalanced passions of the heart. For example, when those advertisements attempt to entice us to purchase things we don’t really need, it is temperance that halts our inclination to begin the process of justifying such purchases. Temperance employs right reason in order to put aside the urge of acquiring something realizing we will only regret the acquisition after the fact. In this way we heed the Word of God which says, “The grace of God has appeared, offering salvation to all. It trains us to reject godless ways and worldly desires, and live temperately, justly, and devoutly in this age as we await our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of the great God and of our Savior Jesus Christ.” (Titus 2:11-13)