Temperance (virtue)

Temperance is the practice of moderation. It was one of the five "cardinal" virtues held to be vital to society in Hellenic culture. It is also one of the Four Cardinal Virtues considered central to Christian behavior by the Catholic Church.

Temperance features as one of the cards in the Tarot deck. It is represented as a woman pouring liquid from one jar to another. It has been suggested that this represents pouring water into wine, to moderate its potency.

See Temperance movement regarding temperance in the consumption of alcohol.