Legal Definitions - temperance

Temperance refers to the practice of self-control and moderation in one's actions, desires, and consumption. It involves exercising restraint over natural impulses and appetites, ensuring that indulgence does not lead to excess or harm. While historically often associated with the avoidance or moderate consumption of alcoholic beverages, temperance broadly applies to any area of life where discipline and balance are required, including diet, spending, and emotional responses.

Here are some examples illustrating the concept of temperance:

• Dietary Choices: Imagine a person who genuinely enjoys rich, indulgent foods but consciously chooses to limit their consumption of such items to special occasions, opting for healthier, balanced meals most days. They are not necessarily abstaining entirely, but they are practicing temperance by exercising moderation over their appetite for less healthy options.

  This example illustrates temperance because the individual is demonstrating self-control and restraint over a natural desire for pleasurable food, prioritizing long-term health over immediate gratification.

• Financial Management: Consider a young professional who, despite receiving a significant bonus, decides to allocate most of it to savings and debt repayment rather than making a large, impulsive purchase like a luxury car or an expensive vacation. They allow themselves a small treat, but the majority is handled with discipline.

  This demonstrates temperance in financial matters. The professional is moderating their desire for immediate material indulgence, choosing instead to exercise restraint for greater financial stability and future security.

• Digital Device Usage: A student finds themselves constantly distracted by social media notifications while studying. To combat this, they implement a strict rule to only check their phone for 15 minutes every two hours, even when they feel a strong urge to look at it more frequently. Outside of these designated times, the phone is put away.

  This illustrates temperance as the student is actively practicing self-control and moderation over their impulse to engage with digital distractions, thereby ensuring they can focus on their academic responsibilities.