TABOR - Tradition and Contemporaneity in the Romanian Orthodox Church
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A plea for temperance
The article analyzes the meanings regarding the virtue of temperance, both in classical culture, respectively ancient philosophy, and in Christian spirituality. Temperance has first and foremost a rational dimension, as a fair judgment in deliberation and decision to choose the best means to achieve the best goals. As a balance of the soul, temperance represents the lucidity of the mind, consideration, thoughtfulness, prudence, practical wisdom. At the same time, its educational objective is to form and cultivate the habits that will lead to self-control through disciplining the senses, promoting restraint, moderation, sobriety ... In the Greek culture and civilization, temperance as sophrosyne was an ethical concept, adopted by Christian spirituality to define the specific values of Christ’s Gospel.
 

SORIN COSMA