24 Quotes About Temperance

Of course I contradict myself. Why else would I hold things in and put the fire out?

Reflect that nothing merits admiration except thespirit, the impressiveness of which prevents it from being impressed by anything.

It is a queer thing. In a time of great need, when powerful leadership is demanded, the people—confused and excited—hear only the strident voices of the audacious, and refuse to listen to the voice of wisdom which, being wise, is temperate.

Fear the soldier who stammers, for he is very fast at pulling the triger.

Quite possibly one of the most revealing passages about Shakespeare as a man comes from one of the roughest of the jottings made by gossip John Aubrey from his interview with William Beeston, son of the Christopher Beeston who had acted with Shakespeare's company. The partly cancelled note reads: 'the more to be admired, he was not a company keeper. [He] ... wouldn't be debauched, and if invited to, writ [i.e. wrote] he was in pain.' [Ch.24]

I didn't drink because I knew that if I jumped into a bottle, I'd pull the cork in after me.

There is more food in a pennyworth of bread than in a gallon of ale.

We classify the positive traits that protect us from excess as strengths of temperance. What are the types of excess of special concern? Hatred—against which forgiveness and mercy protect us. Arrogance—against which humility and modesty protect us. Short-term pleasure with long-term costs—against which prudence protects us. And destabilizing emotional extremes of all sorts—against which self-regulation protects us.

O that every season might be Bealtaine that we might see Your Light plainly. But no. For in each time and season we learn patience, prudence, temperance, and wisdom. If all seasons were the same, we would miss You in Your fullness.