304 TEMPERANCE

YOUCAT Lesson 304

YOUCAT the catechism for Catholic youth

304  Why is it virtuous to be moderate?

Moderation is a virtue because immoderate behavior proves to be a destructive force in all areas of life.  [1809, 1838]

Art illustration: …..Saint Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274), author of Summa Theologiae. …..304

Saint Thomas Aquinas wrote that virtue is to be divided into two categories: 1) the traditional virtues of wisdom, courage, moderation, friendship, etc., and 2) the theological virtues revealed to man through Jesus Christ which are faith, hope, and love.

Someone who is immoderate abandons himself to the rule of his impulses, offends others by his inordinate desires, and harms himself.  In the New Testament words like “sobriety” and “discretion” stand for “moderation”.

“For the grace of God has appeared for the salvation of all men, training us to renounce irreligion and worldly passions, and to live sober, upright, and godly lives in this world.” Titus 2:11-12

1809, 1838

 The cardinal virtues

…….1809   Temperance is the 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. 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; compare Sir 37:27-31.)⁷²Temperance is often praised in the Old Testament: "Do not follow your base desires, but restrain your appetites."( Sirach 18:30.)⁷³ In the New Testament it is called "moderation" or "sobriety." We ought "to live sober, upright, and godly lives in this world."( Titus 2:12.)⁷⁴ –Catechism of the Catholic Church, Second Edition

To live well is nothing other than to love God with all one's heart, with all one's soul and with all one's efforts; from this it comes about that love is kept whole and uncorrupted (through temperance). No misfortune can disturb it (and this is fortitude). It obeys only [God] (and this is justice), and is careful in discerning things, so as not to be surprised by deceit or trickery (and this is prudence).( St. Augustine, De moribus eccl. 1,25,46:Patrologia Latina 32,1330-1331.)⁷⁵ –CCC

IN BRIEF

…….1838 Temperance moderates the attraction of the pleasures of the senses and provides balance in the use of created goods. ---CCC