The Measured Hand: Why Temperance is the Unsung Virtue of Good Government

In the cacophony of modern politics, where passionate rhetoric often overshadows considered judgment, the ancient idea of temperance might seem quaint, even irrelevant. Yet, I argue that temperance is not merely a personal virtue but a foundational pillar upon which stable and just government must rest. It is the measured hand that guides the ship of state, preventing it from capsizing in storms of excess or drifting aimlessly in the doldrums of apathy. This article explores how the idea of temperance, deeply rooted in the Great Books of the Western World, offers a timeless antidote to political vice and a blueprint for responsible leadership.

The Idea of Temperance: More Than Just Personal Restraint

At its core, temperance (or sophrosyne in Greek) is the virtue of moderation, self-control, and balance. It's the ability to govern one's desires and appetites, ensuring they serve reason rather than overwhelm it. While often discussed in the context of individual behavior – think of avoiding gluttony or excessive indulgence – its political implications are profound.

  • From Individual to Body Politic: The idea that a well-ordered soul is analogous to a well-ordered city is a recurring theme in classical philosophy. Just as an individual needs temperance to achieve inner harmony, so too does a government need it to maintain societal equilibrium.
  • The Golden Mean: Aristotle, in his Nicomachean Ethics, positions temperance as the "golden mean" between two extremes: insensibility (a deficiency of desire) and self-indulgence (an excess of desire). In politics, this translates to avoiding both apathetic governance and tyrannical overreach.

Temperance as a Political Virtue

When we extend the idea of temperance from the individual to the collective, its relevance to government becomes strikingly clear.

Aspect of Government Temperate Approach (Virtue) Intemperate Approach (Vice: Excess) Intemperate Approach (Vice: Deficiency)
Exercise of Power Measured, just authority Tyranny, authoritarianism Weakness, anarchy
Economic Policy Prudent spending, fiscal responsibility Reckless spending, debt accumulation Neglect of public welfare, austerity beyond necessity
Legislation Thoughtful, balanced laws Overregulation, intrusive laws Under-regulation, neglect of public safety
Public Discourse Reasoned debate, compromise Demagoguery, extreme partisanship Apathy, silence in the face of injustice
Foreign Policy Diplomacy, strategic engagement Imperialism, aggressive expansion Isolationism, neglect of global responsibility

Echoes in the Great Books: Plato and Aristotle

The philosophical foundations for temperance in government are robustly laid in the Great Books of the Western World.

  • Plato's Republic: For Plato, temperance is one of the four cardinal virtues, essential for both the individual and the ideal city. He describes it as a kind of "harmony" or "agreement" within the city, where all parts (rulers, auxiliaries, and producers) agree on who should rule. It's not just the virtue of the lower classes, but a shared understanding that reason should govern. An intemperate city, lacking this internal agreement, is prone to factionalism and ultimately, tyranny. The idea here is that a government must possess a collective self-awareness and control over its own appetites for power and wealth.
  • Aristotle's Politics: While Aristotle focuses more on the practicalities of government, the virtue of temperance underpins his ideal of a stable and well-functioning polis. He emphasizes the importance of a strong middle class, which, by its very nature, embodies moderation and stability, acting as a buffer against the excesses of both the rich and the poor. A temperate government avoids extremes, seeking the best practical solution rather than ideological purity. The idea of a balanced constitution, blending elements of monarchy, aristocracy, and democracy, is itself an embodiment of political temperance.

The Vice of Political Intemperance

Without temperance, government succumbs to vice. We see this manifest in:

  • Corruption: The unchecked desire for personal gain, a direct result of intemperance, erodes public trust and distorts justice.
  • Demagoguery: Leaders who pander to the basest desires and fears of the populace, rather than appealing to reason, embody political intemperance. They exploit rather than guide.
  • Tyranny: The unbridled lust for power, where a ruler's will becomes law without restraint, is the ultimate political vice opposite to temperance.
  • Economic Instability: Reckless fiscal policies driven by short-term gain or excessive ideological zeal, rather than prudent long-term planning, demonstrate a lack of economic temperance.

(Image: A classical Greek fresco depicting the allegory of Sophrosyne. A serene, veiled female figure stands between two other figures: one, a wild-eyed, disheveled individual reaching for overflowing goblets and plates, symbolizing excess; the other, a gaunt, withdrawn figure, symbolizing deficiency. Sophrosyne holds a set of scales perfectly balanced, her gaze calm and steady, embodying the virtue of moderation and self-control.)

Cultivating Temperance in the Body Politic

How can we foster this crucial virtue in our political landscape?

  1. Education in Civic Virtue: Emphasizing critical thinking, historical perspective, and ethical reasoning from a young age.
  2. Strong Institutions: Designing systems of checks and balances that inherently limit the potential for any single branch or individual to exercise unchecked power.
  3. Ethical Leadership: Promoting and valuing leaders who demonstrate humility, integrity, and a commitment to the common good over personal ambition.
  4. Informed Public Discourse: Encouraging reasoned debate, the ability to consider opposing viewpoints, and a resistance to sensationalism and tribalism. The idea here is to temper the passions of the crowd with the wisdom of deliberation.

Conclusion: The Enduring Idea

The idea of temperance in politics is not about stifling passion or embracing apathy. Rather, it's about channeling political energy constructively, ensuring that the pursuit of power serves the common good and that decisions are made with foresight and fairness. As we navigate complex global challenges, the wisdom gleaned from the Great Books reminds us that the most effective government is often the one that knows its limits, exercises restraint, and cultivates the virtue of moderation. It is the steady hand that understands the delicate balance required to build and maintain a flourishing society, always guarding against the seductions of vice and the perils of excess.

Video by: The School of Life

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Video by: The School of Life

💡 Want different videos? Search YouTube for: ""Aristotle on Political Virtue and the Golden Mean""

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