Temperance, or moderation, is the virtue that avoids excess,
especially of the passions. Many of these lead to crimes: anger to murder,
greed to fraud, gluttony to consuming the goods of others, lust to rape and
rapine. Looking at that sorry spectacle, the news, I witness failure of
moderation in persons and states.
Making good
decisions requires moderation. Wisdom, called prudentia or prudence, foresees the steps that must be taken to
result in the good. Justice wills to restore to others what belongs to them and
fortitude (courage) moderates both fear and recklessness. There’s a tendency
toward a line of calm with the virtues, however stressed the situation.
Today’s
news about child abuse shows passions without moderation or justice, governors
without wisdom or courage. News about asylum seekers shows governments without
wisdom, courage, moderation or justice. The vices are more practiced than the
virtues.
While Paul
states that one of the fruits of the spirit is self-control, we might be complete
atheists and still aim for moderation, and avoid crimes of passion. Forgiveness
and mercy belong to the wise. Courage faces what has been done, and is being
done. We could have an adventure. We could live virtuous lives.
