temperance is more than just being mild or calm in stressful situations. It’s more than just putting up with the occasional criticism or keeping some of your urges in check. Sometimes it’s having the strength to not do the thing you want to do more than anything else in the world. It’s holding back the most natural and understandable and forgivable feelings in the world: taking it personally. Running away. Breaking down. Locking up with fear. Celebrating with joy. Cursing in anger. Exacting retribution.
