The Guiding Hand: How Prudence Elevates Temperance from Mere Restraint to True Virtue

In the grand tapestry of human flourishing, few threads are as vital and interconnected as Prudence and Temperance. While temperance often conjures images of stern self-denial, true virtue, as the Great Books remind us, is far more nuanced. It is Prudence, practical wisdom, that elevates temperance from a mere act of restraint to a profound expression of a well-ordered soul, guiding us toward the golden mean in our desires and actions. Without prudence, temperance risks becoming an empty, even harmful, asceticism, rather than a path to genuine wisdom and a balanced life.

Defining the Pillars: Prudence and Temperance

To understand their powerful synergy, we must first grasp each virtue independently.

  • Prudence (Phronesis): The Architect of Action
    Aristotle, in his Nicomachean Ethics, champions prudence not as theoretical knowledge, but as "right reason in action." It is the intellectual virtue that enables us to deliberate well about what is good and advantageous for ourselves, not in some universal sense, but here and now, in concrete situations. Prudence is about discerning the appropriate means to a virtuous end. It's the capacity to see clearly, to judge correctly, and to act effectively. Thomas Aquinas later called prudence the "charioteer of the virtues," for it guides all other moral virtues, ensuring they are applied correctly and at the right time.

  • Temperance (Sophrosyne): The Harmonizer of Desires
    Temperance is the moral virtue concerned with moderating our appetites and pleasures, particularly those associated with the body—food, drink, and sexual desires. Plato, in his Republic and Charmides, discusses temperance as a harmony of the soul, a state where the rational part rules over the appetitive, ensuring desires are kept in check. Aristotle further refines this, positioning temperance as the mean between the vice of insensibility (lack of pleasure) and the vice of intemperance (excessive indulgence). It's about enjoying pleasures appropriately, not denying them entirely.

The Indispensable Intertwining: Why Temperance Needs Prudence

Temperance, without the guiding hand of prudence, can easily stray from its virtuous path. Consider the following:

  1. Distinguishing Virtue from Vice: A person might abstain from all pleasures, believing it to be temperate. However, if this abstinence leads to ill health, social isolation, or a bitter disposition, it is not temperance but the vice of insensibility or ascetic extremism. Prudence helps us discern the appropriate amount of pleasure or restraint, recognizing that complete denial can be as harmful as excessive indulgence.
  2. Contextual Application: What is temperate in one situation might be intemperate in another. Prudence allows us to assess the specific circumstances, our own physical and psychological state, and the potential impact of our actions on ourselves and others. For instance, a small celebratory drink might be prudent for one, while complete abstinence is prudent for another with a history of addiction.
  3. Motivation and Purpose: True virtue stems from a rational choice and a desire for the good, not from fear, guilt, or rigid adherence to external rules. Prudence ensures that our temperate actions are motivated by a genuine understanding of what contributes to our overall well-being and flourishing, rather than mere obligation or self-punishment.

Prudence in Action: Navigating the Landscape of Desire

Let's explore how prudence actively shapes temperance:

  • Identifying the "Right" Pleasures: Prudence helps us differentiate between fleeting, destructive pleasures and those that genuinely contribute to our well-being. It asks: "Is this truly good for me?"
  • Determining the "Right" Amount: The temperate person doesn't eliminate pleasure but consumes it in the right measure. Prudence is the faculty that judges how much food, drink, or leisure is appropriate, avoiding both gluttony and deprivation.
  • Choosing the "Right" Time and Place: Prudence considers the external circumstances. Enjoying a dessert might be temperate at a celebration but imprudent before a strenuous activity or when facing health concerns.
  • Fostering Self-Knowledge: Prudence requires introspection. It demands that we understand our own tendencies, weaknesses, and strengths regarding appetites, allowing us to proactively manage them.

Virtue and Vice: The Prudent Path to Temperance

The path of temperance, guided by prudence, is a journey away from the extremes of vice:

Aspect of Temperance Vice of Deficiency (Lack) Virtuous Mean (Prudent Temperance) Vice of Excess (Too Much)
Appetite for Food Insensibility, Starvation Moderate, Healthy Eating Gluttony, Overindulgence
Appetite for Drink Asceticism, Rigid Abstinence Responsible, Measured Consumption Drunkenness, Intemperance
Sexual Desire Apathy, Unnatural Repression Appropriate, Loving Expression Promiscuity, Licentiousness
Overall Pleasure Austerity, Joylessness Balanced Enjoyment of Life Hedonism, Self-Indulgence

Prudence is the internal compass that steers us towards the "Virtuous Mean," ensuring that our self-control is not a form of deprivation but a means to a richer, more fulfilling life. It is the wisdom applied to our desires, ensuring they serve our higher good.

Beyond Simple Self-Control: The Deeper Purpose

Ultimately, the role of prudence in temperance is to transform simple self-control into a profound moral virtue. It moves us beyond merely saying "no" to desires, to understanding why we say "no," when to say it, and how it contributes to our overall flourishing (eudaimonia). A temperate person, guided by prudence, is not one who suffers in self-denial, but one whose desires are so well-ordered that they naturally align with reason, leading to inner harmony and peace. This is the mark of true wisdom in action, a life lived deliberately and virtuously.

(Image: A classical painting depicting allegorical figures of Prudence and Temperance. Prudence, often shown with a mirror reflecting the past and a snake symbolizing foresight, gazes thoughtfully, perhaps consulting a scroll. Temperance, meanwhile, is depicted pouring water from one vessel to another, symbolizing moderation, balance, and the mixing of elements. The scene is set in a serene, classical landscape, emphasizing the harmony these virtues bring to human life.)

Video by: The School of Life

💡 Want different videos? Search YouTube for: ""Aristotle Nicomachean Ethics Prudence and Temperance""

Video by: The School of Life

💡 Want different videos? Search YouTube for: ""The Virtue of Temperance: A Philosophical Exploration""

Share this post