setrvanosti

Setrvanosti is a term used in several South Slavic languages to denote restraint, self-control, or thrift. The sense depends on context: as a personal trait, it refers to the ability to restrain desires and impulses; in economic or administrative usage, it describes prudent use of resources and avoidance of waste; in cultural or religious discourse, it can denote ascetic restraint or moderation.

Etymology and regional variation are not uniform across languages, but the word generally derives from a Slavic root associated with holding back or conserving, with the suffix -nost forming a noun that denotes a quality or state. Variants exist across Croatian, Serbian, Bosnian, and related languages, reflecting nuanced distinctions in meaning and emphasis.

Usage and context encompass ethical, economic, and social dimensions. In ethics and philosophy, setrvanost is discussed as a virtue akin to temperance and self-discipline. In everyday life, it underpins prudent budgeting, sustainable consumption, and long-term planning. In religious or ascetic contexts, it is linked to voluntary simplicity and abstention from excess.

Reception and comparative notes highlight that some modern discussions frame setrvanost as a response to consumerism and material excess, while others caution against excessive frugality that may affect well-being. The term often appears alongside related concepts such as štedljivost (thrift) or umjerenost (moderation), with overlap and distinctions varying by language and tradition.

See also: temperance, abstinence, frugality, thrift, self-control, asceticism.