temperance

Temperance is the practice of self-restraint and moderation in actions, speech, and desires. In common usage, it often refers to abstaining from alcoholic beverages, but it can apply more broadly to any regulated behavior. The word derives from Latin temperantia, from temperare, meaning to mix in proper proportion or to moderate.

In philosophy and ethics, temperance is considered a virtue that seeks the mean between excess and deficiency. In classical virtue ethics, temperance governs pleasures of the senses and supports self-control, enabling rational judgment to guide behavior rather than impulsive reaction.

Historically, temperance has played a central role in religious and social reform movements. In Christianity, temperance is one of the cardinal virtues and a basis for moral exhortation. From the 19th century onward, temperance societies promoted abstinence from alcohol and influenced public policy in several countries. In the United States, organizations such as the Women's Christian Temperance Union and the Anti-Saloon League helped shape Prohibition policies in the early 20th century.

Today, temperance is used in secular and medical contexts to describe moderation in consumption and risk behavior. It is commonly applied to alcohol, food, drugs, and other desires, as part of broader discussions about health, addiction recovery, and personal responsibility. The concept remains a feature of ethical discussions as well as public health and policy debates on substance use.