XIV TEMPERANCE

σωφροσύνη / sophrosúnê

by Chris Saunders

Tuesday, September 7

"Speak your ideal. Sow the seed of truth, the seed of the spirit."   (ECRL 3245-1) σωφροσύνη (Sophrosyne) is an ancient Greek concept of an ideal of excellence of character and soundness of mind, which when combined in one well-balanced individual leads to other qualities, such as temperance, moderation, prudence, purity, decorum, and self-control. An adjectival form is "sophron." It is similar to the concepts of 中庸 (zhōngyōng) of Chinese Confucianism and सत्त्व (sattva) of Indian thought. Sophrosyne (σωφροσύνη / sophrosúnê), is in philosophy, which allows all self-control, all wisdom, all moderation. Sophrosyne is the philosophical word which designates temperance; some prefers the word “moderation”. According to Plato, goods either exist by themselves or are the result of perception. These flow from the goods in themselves: they are the virtues: prudence, justice, courage and continence. Of the four virtues, prudence is the first and foremost. The virtues are firm attitudes, stable dispositions, habitual perfections of intelligence and of the will which regulate actions, organize passions and guide conduct. They provide ease, mastery and joy in leading a morally good life. The virtuous man is one who freely practices good.