Youcat commented through CCC – Question n. 304.

YOUCAT Question n. 304 - Why is it virtuous to be moderate?

(Youcat answer) Moderation is a virtue because immoderate behavior proves to be a destructive force in all areas of life.

A deepening through CCC

(CCC 1809 a) Temperance is the moral virtue that moderates the attraction of pleasures and provides balance in the use of created goods. It ensures the will's mastery over instincts and keeps desires within the limits of what is honorable. The temperate person directs the sensitive appetites toward what is good and maintains a healthy discretion: "Do not follow your inclination and strength, walking according to the desires of your heart" (Sir 5:2; cf. 37:27-31). Temperance is often praised in the Old Testament: "Do not follow your base desires, but restrain your appetites" (Sir 18:30). In the New Testament it is called "moderation" or "sobriety." We ought "to live sober, upright, and godly lives in this world" (Titus 2:12).

Reflecting and meditating 

(Youcat comment) Someone who is immoderate abandons himself to the rule of his impulses, offends others by his inordinate desires, and harms himself. In the New Testament words like “sobriety” and “discretion” stand for “moderation”.

(CCC Comment)

(CCC 1809 b) To live well is nothing other than to love God with all one's heart, with all one's soul and with all one's efforts; from this it comes about that love is kept whole and uncorrupted (through temperance). No misfortune can disturb it (and this is fortitude). It obeys only [God] (and this is justice), and is careful in discerning things, so as not to be surprised by deceit or trickery (and this is prudence) (St. Augustine, De moribus eccl. 1, 25, 46: PL 32, 1330-1331). (CCC 1838) Temperance moderates the attraction of the pleasures of the senses and provides balance in the use of created goods.

(The next question is: What are the three supernatural virtues?)