I. The Human Virtues

From The Catechism of the Catholic Church

1809
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.”⁷²
Temperance is often praised in the Old Testament: “Do not follow your base
desires, but restrain your appetites.”⁷³ In the New Testament it
is called “moderation” or “sobriety.” We ought “to
live sober, upright, and godly lives in this world.”⁷⁴