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11.9

A review of the concept of temperance

The word temperance originates from the Latin word temperare meaning 'temper' and temperantia meaning 'moderation'.

In the English language, the meanings ascribed to the word are:

1.	The practice of restraining oneself in provocation, passion, desire; rational self-restraint.
2.	The avoidance of excessive drinking or eating.

Of all the virtues, temperance , or moderation is a superior concept. However, temperance needs to be placed in context. Simply denying oneself what one wishes to do, is effectively the practice of suppression.

11.9.1

The danger of suppression of an active ego

As we have already seen, the denying of ego's desires via suppression has strong links to physical illness and imbalanced thoughts. In one aspect it promotes extreme thinking, especially when one falls from the height of temperance into excess.

In another aspect, it fails to address the fundamental actions and voice of ego. Disarming ego is not achieved through denial of ego. Disarming of ego comes through the understanding of the processes underpinning ego and the redirection of memory and mind towards a living in the present.

Temperance is self-control of the physical actions. It does not cover self control in the mental state. It is the mental state as we have seen where ego conceives of desire and passion and anticipation. One without the other only leads to physical pain and sickness.

Therefore temperance is imbalanced in practice and cannot be considered an aligned virtue.

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