Temperance is the Most Important Virtue

Mar 4, 2020

The importance of temperance as a central virtue takes center stage. Reflecting on Aristotle's concept of the golden mean, the discussion reveals the delicate balance between cowardice and recklessness. Emperor Hadrian's thoughts on moderation provide historical insights, emphasizing how excess can dull appreciation of life's pleasures. The conversation extends to the significance of maintaining fitness and moderation in daily challenges, ultimately showcasing how temperance enhances well-being.

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INSIGHT

Courage's Golden Mean

Courage is essential but can become recklessness, endangering oneself and others.
Aristotle's Golden Mean suggests finding the right amount of courage, avoiding deficiency (cowardice) and excess (recklessness).

ANECDOTE

Hadrian's Moderation

Emperor Hadrian considered overeating a Roman vice, leading to a loss of appreciation.
He preferred simple pleasures and moderation, even in fitness, avoiding both indolence and overexertion.

ADVICE

Embrace Temperance

Find the middle ground and avoid extremes in every part of your life.
Practice temperance to benefit your future self.

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Yesterday we discussed the Four Virtues, and talked about the primacy of courage. Of course, life is not so simple as to say that courage is all the counts. While everyone would admit that courage is essential, we are also all well aware of people whose bravery turns to recklessness and becomes a fault when they begin to endanger themselves and others.

This is where Aristotle comes in. Aristotle actually used courage as the main example in his famous metaphor of a “Golden Mean.” On one end of the spectrum, he said, there was cowardice—that’s a deficiency of courage. On the other, there was recklessness—too much courage. What was called for, what we required then, was a golden mean. The right amount.

That’s what Temperance or moderation is about: Doing nothing in excess. Doing the right thing in the right amount in the right way.

In Marguerite Yourcenar’s Memoirs of Hadrian, the emperor Hadrian writes to Marcus Aurelius that “overeating is a Roman vice.” He explains that far too many of his fellow citizens “poison themselves with spice” and drown their plates in rich sauces. The result? They overwhelm their palates—and themselves. By succumbing to excess, they lose the ability to appreciate things and throw themselves off keel.

To Hadrian, simple pleasures were better. He tells Marcus that “moderation has always been my delight.” And not just when it comes to dinner. Fitness, being in good fighting form to face the challenges of each day, was critical, yet working out to the point of fanaticism was a step too far. That means refraining from both indolence and overexertion, cutting the middle course between the two poles to find that Golden Mean where one is neither over nor underprepared, but simply ready.

So today and every day, remember the Stoic admonition to find the middle ground. Do not adhere to one extreme or the other; make temperance your goal in every part of your life, and your future self will thank you for it.

The Daily Stoic has just released our Four Virtues Medallion, featuring temperance, courage, justice, and wisdom. Everything we face in life is an opportunity to respond with these four traits. Learn more here.

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