--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Temperance is simply a disposition of the…" description: "\"Temperance is simply a disposition of the mind which binds the passion.\" — Thomas Aquinas" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fa9/thomas-aquinas-837_disposition_temperance-is-simply-a-disposition-of-th_2452260.jpg" --- # Temperance is simply a disposition of the mind which binds… ![“Temperance is simply a disposition of the mind which binds the passion.” quote by Thomas Aquinas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fa9/thomas-aquinas-837_disposition_temperance-is-simply-a-disposition-of-th_2452260.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fa9/thomas-aquinas-837_disposition_temperance-is-simply-a-disposition-of-th_2452260.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fa9/thomas-aquinas-837_disposition_temperance-is-simply-a-disposition-of-th_2452260.jpg) > “Temperance is simply a disposition of the mind which binds the passion.” [Thomas Aquinas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-aquinas/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Temperance moderates desires, preventing passions from overwhelming reason and behavior. **In simple terms:** Self‑control keeps desires in check. Key Takeaway Practice restraint to balance emotions. Themes self‑control moderation virtue Mood reflective calm Type ethical philosophical When to use this quote - personal decision‑making - conflict resolution - habit formation Key Concepts philosophy ethics psychology Questions to Reflect On - How do you recognize when passion threatens reason? - What habits help maintain balance? A Different Perspective Temperance alone cannot eliminate all irrational impulses. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Binds Passion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/binds-passion-579522/) [Disposition](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/disposition/) [Disposition Mind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/disposition-mind-579523/) [Mind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mind/) [Passion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/passion/) [Psychology](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/psychology/) [Temperance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/temperance/) [Temperance Simply](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/temperance-simply-579521/) ## Related quotes > [Temperance is simply a disposition of the mind which binds the passions](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/st-thomas-aquinas-2/temperance-is-simply-a-disposition-of-the-mind-which-binds-the/) [St Thomas Aquinas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/st-thomas-aquinas-2/) > [An action will not be right unless the will be right; for from thence is the action derived. Again, the will will not be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seneca-the-younger/an-action-will-not-be-right-unless-the-will-be-right-for-from-thence/) [Seneca the Younger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seneca-the-younger/) > [Excellence or virtue is a settled disposition of the mind that determines our choice of actions and emotions and consists essentially in observing the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aristotle/excellence-or-virtue-is-a-settled-disposition-of-the-mind-that/) [Aristotle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aristotle/) > [Most true happiness comes from one's inner life, from the disposition of the mind and soul.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-l-shirer/most-true-happiness-comes-from-one-s-inner-life-from-the-disposition/) [William L. Shirer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-l-shirer/) > [The Poet binds together by passion and knowledge the vast empire of human society.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-wordsworth/the-poet-binds-together-by-passion-and-knowledge-the-vast-empire-of/) [William Wordsworth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-wordsworth/) > [In spite of difference of soil and climate, of language and manners, of laws and customs-in spite of things silently gone out of mind,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-wordsworth/in-spite-of-difference-of-soil-and-climate-of-language-and-manners-of/) [William Wordsworth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-wordsworth/) > [Most true happiness comes from one's inner life, from the disposition of the mind and soul. Admittedly, a good inner life is difficult to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-l-shirer/most-true-happiness-comes-from-one-s-inner-life-from-the-disposition-2/) [William L. Shirer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-l-shirer/) > [Happiness depends more on the inward disposition of mind than on outward circumstances.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/happiness-depends-more-on-the-inward-disposition-of-mind-than-on/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [If true, the Pythagorean principles as to abstain from flesh, foster innocence; if ill-founded they at least teach us frugality, and what loss have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seneca-the-younger/if-true-the-pythagorean-principles-as-to-abstain-from-flesh-foster/) [Seneca the Younger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seneca-the-younger/) > [Let us avoid debt as we would avoid a plague...Let every head of every household see to it that he has on hand enough…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-reuben-clark/let-us-avoid-debt-as-we-would-avoid-a-plague-let-every-head-of-every/) [J. Reuben Clark](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-reuben-clark/) > [For both excessive and insufficient exercise destroy one's strength, and both eating and drinking too much or too little destroy health, whereas the right…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aristotle/for-both-excessive-and-insufficient-exercise-destroy-one-s-strength/) [Aristotle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aristotle/) > [The Democratic party of Florida has put a temperance plank in its platform and the Republican party of every state would nail that plank…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/billy-sunday/the-democratic-party-of-florida-has-put-a-temperance-plank-in-its/) [Billy Sunday](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/billy-sunday/) > [There is no difference between knowledge and temperance; for he who knows what is good and embraces it, who knows what is bad and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/socrates/there-is-no-difference-between-knowledge-and-temperance-for-he-who/) [Socrates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/socrates/) > [You must teach yourself how to eat less, but with discernment, insofar as your work allows. The measure of temperance should be such that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/silouan-the-athonite/you-must-teach-yourself-how-to-eat-less-but-with-discernment-insofar/) [Silouan the Athonite](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/silouan-the-athonite/) > [Ask God for temp'rance. That's th' appliance only Which your disease requires.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/ask-god-for-temp-rance-that-s-th-appliance-only-which-your-disease/) [William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/) ## More by Thomas Aquinas > [Grace does not destroy nature, it perfects it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-aquinas/grace-does-not-destroy-nature-it-perfects-it/) [Thomas Aquinas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-aquinas/) > [Justice is in subjects as well as in rulers.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-aquinas/justice-is-in-subjects-as-well-as-in-rulers/) [Thomas Aquinas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-aquinas/) > [“A capacity as such is directed to an act. Wherefore we seek to know the nature of a capacity from the act to which…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-aquinas/a-capacity-as-such-is-directed-to-an-act-wherefore-we-seek-to-know/) [Thomas Aquinas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-aquinas/) > [“Yet no-one can say that God has not a Word, for it would follow that God is most foolish.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-aquinas/yet-no-one-can-say-that-god-has-not-a-word-for-it-would-follow-that/) [Thomas Aquinas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-aquinas/) > [Unbelief is the greatest of sins.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-aquinas/unbelief-is-the-greatest-of-sins/) [Thomas Aquinas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-aquinas/) > [If forgers and malefactors are put to death by the secular power, there is much more reason for excommunicating and even putting to death…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-aquinas/if-forgers-and-malefactors-are-put-to-death-by-the-secular-power/) [Thomas Aquinas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-aquinas/) > [When fear is excessive it can make many a man despair.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-aquinas/when-fear-is-excessive-it-can-make-many-a-man-despair/) [Thomas Aquinas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-aquinas/) > [Now, nothing can be brought from potentiality to actual existence except through something actually existing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-aquinas/now-nothing-can-be-brought-from-potentiality-to-actual-existence/) [Thomas Aquinas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-aquinas/) > [To convert somebody go and take them by the hand and guide them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-aquinas/to-convert-somebody-go-and-take-them-by-the-hand-and-guide-them/) [Thomas Aquinas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-aquinas/) > [ By the divine providence \[animals\] are intended for man's use... Hence it is not wrong for man to make use of them, either by… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-aquinas/by-the-divine-providence-animals-are-intended-for-man-s-use-hence-it/) [Thomas Aquinas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-aquinas/) > [“What causes love, since it is a passion, is its object; and since it is a sort of affinity or agreement with the object,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-aquinas/what-causes-love-since-it-is-a-passion-is-its-object-and-since-it-is/) [Thomas Aquinas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-aquinas/) > [The image of God always abides in the soul, whether this image be obsolete and clouded over as to amount to almost nothing; or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-aquinas/the-image-of-god-always-abides-in-the-soul-whether-this-image-be/) [Thomas Aquinas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-aquinas/) > [Charity, by which God and neighbor are loved, is the most perfect friendship.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-aquinas/charity-by-which-god-and-neighbor-are-loved-is-the-most-perfect/) [Thomas Aquinas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-aquinas/) > [Beauty adds to goodness a relation to the cognitive faculty: so that "good" means that which simply pleases the appetite; while the "beautiful" is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-aquinas/beauty-adds-to-goodness-a-relation-to-the-cognitive-faculty-so-that/) [Thomas Aquinas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-aquinas/) > [“God is not, like creatures, made up of parts. God is spirit, without bodily dimensions. Firstly, no body can cause change without itself being…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-aquinas/god-is-not-like-creatures-made-up-of-parts-god-is-spirit-without/) [Thomas Aquinas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-aquinas/) [Explore all 357 Thomas Aquinas quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-aquinas/) ## More Disposition quotes > [Every wife ought to answer for her man. If the husband be engaged in a seditious club, or drinks mysterious healths, or be frugal…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-addison/every-wife-ought-to-answer-for-her-man-if-the-husband-be-engaged-in-a/) [Joseph Addison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-addison/) > [I take up the standpoint that the tendency to aggression is an innate, independent, instinctual disposition in man, and I come back now to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sigmund-freud/i-take-up-the-standpoint-that-the-tendency-to-aggression-is-an-innate/) [Sigmund Freud](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sigmund-freud/) > [The world around us is an increasingly hostile and sinful place. Occasionally that splashes onto us, and perhaps, in the case of a few…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeffrey-r-holland/the-world-around-us-is-an-increasingly-hostile-and-sinful-place/) [Jeffrey R. Holland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeffrey-r-holland/) > [Jane had that happy disposition which would like to imagine that every one really wishes the well-being of his neighbour and struggles, though sometimes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phyllis-bottome/jane-had-that-happy-disposition-which-would-like-to-imagine-that/) [Phyllis Bottome](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phyllis-bottome/) > [Forget the noose. Forget the Iron Maiden. Forget the electric chair or the guillotine. The mind was mankind's most painful torture chamber, the blessed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tiffanie-debartolo/forget-the-noose-forget-the-iron-maiden-forget-the-electric-chair-or/) [Tiffanie DeBartolo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tiffanie-debartolo/) > [Being a Catholic, I was drawn to the mystery of the Latin and the smoke and the mirrors and all of that. That part…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-sarandon/being-a-catholic-i-was-drawn-to-the-mystery-of-the-latin-and-the/) [Susan Sarandon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-sarandon/) > [Thence, I suppose, my natural disposition to make fresh acquaintances, and to break with them so readily, although always for a good reason, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/giacomo-casanova/thence-i-suppose-my-natural-disposition-to-make-fresh-acquaintances/) [Giacomo Casanova](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/giacomo-casanova/) > [I am still determined to be cheerful and happy in whatever situation I may be.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martha-washington/i-am-still-determined-to-be-cheerful-and-happy-in-whatever-situation/) [Martha Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martha-washington/) > [True humanity consists not in a squeamish ear; it consists not in starting or shrinking at tales of misery, but in a disposition of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-james/true-humanity-consists-not-in-a-squeamish-ear-it-consists-not-in/) [Charles James](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-james/) > [There are petty-minded people who cannot endure to be reminded of their ignorance because, since they are usually quite blind to all things, quite…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/madeleine-de-souvre-marquise-de-sable/there-are-petty-minded-people-who-cannot-endure-to-be-reminded-of/) [Madeleine de Souvre, marquise de Sable](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/madeleine-de-souvre-marquise-de-sable/) > [If my ruling disposition is self-interest, I perceive that everything that happens to me is always for or against my self-interest; if, on the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oswald-chambers/if-my-ruling-disposition-is-self-interest-i-perceive-that-everything/) [Oswald Chambers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oswald-chambers/) > [And I saw for the first time how, despite the isolation of our own lives, we are always connected to our ancestors; our bodies…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alyson-richman/and-i-saw-for-the-first-time-how-despite-the-isolation-of-our-own/) [Alyson Richman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alyson-richman/) > [All acts suppose certain dispositions, and habits of mind and heart, which may be in themselves states of enjoyment or of wretchedness, and which…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-stuart-mill/all-acts-suppose-certain-dispositions-and-habits-of-mind-and-heart/) [John Stuart Mill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-stuart-mill/) > [You can't let your personal disposition be dictated by the world around you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greg-graffin/you-can-t-let-your-personal-disposition-be-dictated-by-the-world/) [Greg Graffin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greg-graffin/) > [With a basic understanding of all humans as brothers and sisters, we can appreciate the usefulness of different systems and ideologies that can accommodate…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dalai-lama/with-a-basic-understanding-of-all-humans-as-brothers-and-sisters-we/) [Dalai Lama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dalai-lama/) [Browse all 629 Disposition quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/disposition/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Temperance is simply a disposition of the mind which binds the passion.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Thomas Aquinas" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-aquinas/temperance-is-simply-a-disposition-of-the-mind-which-binds-the-passion/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Disposition" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-aquinas/temperance-is-simply-a-disposition-of-the-mind-which-binds-the-passion/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fa9/thomas-aquinas-837_disposition_temperance-is-simply-a-disposition-of-th_2452260.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fa9/thomas-aquinas-837_disposition_temperance-is-simply-a-disposition-of-th_2452260.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fa9/thomas-aquinas-837_disposition_temperance-is-simply-a-disposition-of-th_2452260.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Temperance is simply a disposition of the mind which binds the passion.” — Thomas Aquinas", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Thomas Aquinas", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-aquinas/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Temperance is simply a disposition of...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-aquinas/temperance-is-simply-a-disposition-of-the-mind-which-binds-the-passion/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-aquinas/temperance-is-simply-a-disposition-of-the-mind-which-binds-the-passion/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```