Quotes about Temperance

Let your desires be ruled by reason.

Be patient and calm; no one can catch fish in anger.

Even a fish wouldn't get into trouble if he kept his mouth shut.

Assume in adversity a countenance of prosperity, and in prosperity moderate thy temper.

Courage is a mean with regard to fear and confidence.

The true test of a man's spirituality is not his ability to speak, as we are apt to think, but rather his ability to bridle his tongue.

In another letter he says: "A man may be constitutionally meek as the lamb, constitutionally kind as the spaniel, constitutionally cheerful as the lark, and constitutionally modest as the owl; but these things are not sanctification. No sweet, humble, heavenly tempers, no sanctifying graces, are found but from the cross.

What can you do to "cool off"? Take a deep breath and say a little prayer. Ask God to cool your temper and simply show you what to do next—like mop up the milk, pick up the pencil again, and wipe your face. Learning to let God help you keep your cool during the little stuff makes it easier to keep your cool when the big things come around.

Lord, when little things—and big things—make me want to lose my temper, help me not to sweat it. Remind me to ask You what to do instead.

The real art of conversation is not only to say the right thing in the right place, but to leave unsaid the wrong thing at the tempting moment.

Tame your tongue. If you sometimes overreact emotionally, a first step to improvement is to stop yourself from saying things you shouldn't. The next time you want to lash out, hold your tongue for five minutes, and give yourself a chance to cool down and look at things more rationally. Use this strategy repeatedly and you will find yourself in better command of your emotions.

Temperance is a disposition that restrains our desires for things which it is base to desire.