What it is
Temperance is one of the four cardinal virtues, next to wisdom, justice and courage. The Stoics called it moderation and broke it into good discipline, seemliness, modesty and self-control. They believed the virtues come as a set: to really have one is to have them all.
The Catholic Encyclopedia defines it as the habit that lets reason govern our natural appetite for pleasure. Not killing the appetite. Governing it.
How it shows up for me
I first asked “what is temperance, and how can I practice it?” in 2024, in a conversation about the difference between a man and a boy. A year later I was telling myself “patience and templanza” while waiting to see if people would stay. Templanza is my mom’s word, and it’s the part of intimacy I practice most.