TEMPERANCE MATTERS,
ITS DISCIPLINE AND FOCUS,
A DIRECTED LIFE.

Temperance as a virtue is often confused with abstinence from alcoholic drink resulting from “the temperance movement”.

According to wikipedia “Temperance in its modern use is defined as moderation or voluntary self-restraint. It is typically described in terms of what an individual voluntarily refrains from doing. This includes restraint from revenge by practicing non-violence and forgiveness, restraint from arrogance by practicing humility and modesty, restraint from excesses such as extravagant luxury or splurging, and restraint from rage or craving by practicing calmness and self-control.”

You can see why “the temperance movement” used the word and ideal since they wanted individuals to voluntarily refrains from alcholic drinks. Unfortunately over time people began to only associate the word with the refraining from alcholic drinks. Pity.