We explain what temperance is and the excesses to avoid in order to live with this virtue. Also, what is temperance according to religion.
What is Temperance?
Temperance is a virtue that advises us to measure ourselves with pleasures and it tries to ensure that our life has a balance between that which, being a good, gives us a certain pleasure and the spiritual life, which gives us another type of well-being, a higher one.
This virtue can be achieved with mastery over our instincts and desires. Temperance is synonymous with the words moderation, sobriety and continence.
The term temperance comes from the Latin language, “temperantia”, which means the moderation of temperature, but in another sense the adjective temperate is applied to refer to the middle term between hot and cold, and in the same way to everything that maintains some kind of balance or internal, spiritual harmony.
Hence also the adjective intemperateas if decomposed or disarranged, without moderation or balance. On the other hand, and contrary to what is usually believed, the word It has no etymological relationship with the word temple.
Having the virtue of temperance means that we will be sober, identifying what the needs of our body and our being are, but those that are really necessary, those that will give us well-being and help us develop as people (such as health or education). .
On the other hand, we must also identify imaginary needs, because these are simple products of our desire and ego, these second needs are inexhaustible. Therefore we must contain them with all our strength and learn to live only with what is necessary to have temperance although this does not mean living in lack.
Human beings have a natural tendency to abuse the joy that goods give; it is also true that we have a small part within us that is rebellious and opposes correct action.
The realities called sensitive They are as important in the life of man as subtle, But he must learn to differentiate the importance that each one has because the obsession with maintaining the joy of material things distracts him, keeping him floating between illusions that do not contribute anything good to his life and also distance him from true knowledge.
If the human being acted as his instincts dictate, he would never be able to find his perfection of being, he would not be able to achieve what he is destined for.
It is also said that Not acting with temperance is an act of selfishness since one as a person cannot contribute good things to the world and the society in which one lives by simply spending time thinking about material things and their vices, nor can one correctly appreciate reality to be able to act in this way according to she.
See also: Humility
Samples of excesses
Some examples of things that we should avoid in excess to live with temperance are:
- The meals (because we would be guilty of gluttony)
- alcoholic beverages
- Too much sex, since these things cause situations in which the energies of the being become disordered and thus become destructive acts.
For example, drinking alcohol in excess can damage our liver having too many sexual partners can lead to contracting a sexually transmitted disease, etc.
Temperance in religion
Sobriety is what opens the doors to a spiritual life; excesses poison the soul. From a religious point of view, temperance is a cardinal virtue and when it is perfected by the work and grace of the Holy Spirit.
Temperance is also what makes us stop our base instincts defeats some of the capital sins of Catholicism. No good work will save us if we do not have perseverance, because our soul remains blind as prudence has been corrupted.
The person who enjoys temperance will always direct his sensitive appetites towards the good knows how to act with discretion and does not allow herself to be influenced by the passion of her heart.
It is said that when someone acts according to their spirituality they are being true to himself. When the soul is given over to the sensible world, the ability to decide and act in the correct way is annihilated for the future.
It is said that the human being who acts in his life according to spiritual laws is in communion with God, thus assimilates the truth, which is the supreme good to which we must aspire, and finally performs all his actions appropriately. If we possess this virtue, we will live in a balanced way avoiding all excesses, both good and bad.
Those who dedicate their lives to living with all possible virtues and in accordance with the commandments of the church are priests or nuns, who decide to follow the path of spiritual elevation above pleasures and goods.
