“Temperance moderates natural desires (food, drink), not eliminating but ordering them.”
— Aristotle, Nicomachean Ethics, Book III, Chapter 11
(Translated by W.D. Ross)
Big Idea
Life’s an RPG inventory system 🎒:
- Temperance = Balancing health potions (needs) vs. loot (wants) → No overencumbrance!
- Extremes = Hoarding 100 snacks (gluttony) or tossing all treats (deprivation) → Both crash your stamina bar.
Real-Life Scenarios
🍕 Snack Attack
→ Temperate: Two slices of pizza + salad → Energy for raids.
→ Immoderate: Devour whole pie → Food coma debuff 😴.
📱 Screen Time
→ Temperate: 1hr TikTok + 1hr homework → Balanced XP grind.
→ Extreme: Binge-scroll till 3AM → Next-day zombie mode 🧟♂️.
🎮 Gaming Marathon
→ Temperate: Play 2hrs + stretch breaks → Boss-ready reflexes.
→ Gluttonous: No-lifing 8hrs → Carpal tunnel curse.
What You Can Do
- Inventory Audit
Track for 3 days:
→ Food: “3 cookies, not the whole jar” ✅
→ Screens: “30 mins reels, then dog walk” ✅ - Moderation Mini-Game
Choose ONE craving daily:
→ Day 1: Crave chips → Eat 10, then apple.
→ Day 3: Crave Fortnite → Play 1 mission, then read. - The “Why” Check
Before indulging, ask:
→ “Is this fueling me or flooding me?”