Temperance is the virtue that involves restraining one’s appetites to live a sober, upright, and godly life (CCC 1809). As one of the four cardinal virtues, it plays a pivotal role in governing human actions and ordering passions (CCC 1805, 1833-1838). These human virtues are acquired through human effort and the performance of morally good acts, guiding conduct according to reason and faith to achieve self-mastery and joy (CCC 1804). By moderating the attraction of pleasures, temperance ensures a balance in the use of created goods and allows the individual to maintain mastery over their instincts (CCC 1809).

This virtue is closely tied to the love of God, which serves as the foundation for all virtues; through temperance, love is kept whole and uncorrupted, and is further purified and elevated by divine grace (CCC 1810). While temperance is a moral virtue, it is informed by the theological virtues of faith, hope, and charity, which dispose Christians to live in a relationship with the Holy Trinity (CCC 1840-1841). Divine grace is necessary to perfect natural virtues, enabling the faithful to fulfill the commandments of the natural law and acquire permanent virtue (CCC 1987).

Chastity is a moral virtue that falls under the cardinal virtue of temperance, seeking to permeate the passions and appetites of the senses with reason (CCC 2341, 2345). Enabled by the Holy Spirit through Baptism, chastity is both a gift from God and the fruit of spiritual effort (CCC 2345). It requires a long and exacting work of renewed effort throughout all stages of life to achieve self-mastery, which ultimately blossoms in friendship and the gift of self (CCC 2342, 2347).

Modesty is an integral part of temperance that protects the intimate center of the person and ensures that behavior and looks toward others conform to human dignity (CCC 2521). This virtue inspires decency in choices regarding clothing and behavior, protecting against unhealthy curiosity and encouraging patience and moderation in loving relationships (CCC 2522-2523). Modesty is born from a consciousness of being a subject and an intuition of human spiritual dignity, teaching a fundamental respect for the human person (2524).

In practice, temperance is used to purify the heart, which is the seat of moral personality (Mt 15:19), to combat carnal covetousness and lust (CCC 2530-2532). Such purity of heart is essential for seeing God face-to-face (Mt 5:8) and perceiving others as neighbors and temples of the Holy Spirit (CCC 2519). Furthermore, temperance, alongside justice and solidarity, is essential for respecting human dignity within economic matters (CCC 2407).

The cultivation of temperance requires control over the senses and the will, a process that is supported by prayer and the reception of the Eucharist and Penance (CCC 1803-1805). While human effort is required, true freedom and self-control are only possible through God’s grace, as expressed in the truth that one can do all things through Christ who strengthens them (Philippians 4:13, CCC 2825). This is further evidenced by the fruits of the Holy Spirit, which include self-control and chastity, forming the believer for eternal glory (CCC 1832).