Of the Precepts of Temperance

Of the Precepts of Temperance — St. Thomas Aquinas asks: Whether the precepts of temperance are suitably given in the Divine law?; Whether the precepts of the virtues annexed to temperance are suitably given in the Divine law?.

We must next consider the precepts of temperance:

(1) The precepts of temperance itself;

(2) The precepts of its parts.

Article 1: Whether the precepts of temperance are suitably given in the Divine law?

stands the authority of Scripture in the decalogue (Ex. 20:14, 17).

As the Apostle says (1 Tim. 1:5), "the end of the commandment is charity," which is enjoined upon us in the two precepts concerning the love of God and of our neighbor. Wherefore the decalogue contains those precepts which tend more directly to the love of God and of our neighbor. Now among the vices opposed to temperance, adultery would seem most of all opposed to the love of our neighbor, since thereby a man lays hold of another's property for his own use, by abusing his neighbor's wife. Wherefore the precepts of the decalogue include a special prohibition of adultery, not only as committed in deed, but also as desired in thought.

Article 2: Whether the precepts of the virtues annexed to temperance are suitably given in the Divine law?

suffices the authority of Scripture.

The virtues annexed to temperance may be considered in two ways: first, in themselves; secondly, in their effects. Considered in themselves they have no direct connection with the love of God or of our neighbor; rather do they regard a certain moderation of things pertaining to man himself. But considered in their effects, they may regard the love of God or of our neighbor: and in this respect the decalogue contains precepts that relate to the prohibition of the effects of the vices opposed to the parts of temperance. Thus the effect of anger, which is opposed to meekness, is sometimes that a man goes on to commit murder (and this is forbidden in the Decalogue), and sometimes that he refuses due honor to his parents, which may also be the result of pride, which leads many to transgress the precepts of the first table.