Temperance In St. Augustine's The Confessions

Throughout life, there are many battles we have to fight and obstacles we must get around. It is necessary in getting through these hardships to be able to stick with them. While determination is crucial, it must be used in moderation, you must know when to stop. This is where temperance comes into play. The textbook definition of temperance is moderation or self restraint in action. In other words, temperance means taking action but within your limits, knowing when you have what you need. Throughout history, we notice that temperance is essential in dealing with issues of women's rights.

In St. Augustine’s, The Confessions, Augustine uses his life to show the need of temperance. Using the definition of temperance from above this is a skill that is important to learn, while challenging to maintain. Augustine knew that in order to lead a devout life he must abstain from sexual activity. “His celibacy seemed to me the only hardship which he had to bear (VI.3.1), Ambrose knows that the only struggle holding Augustine back from leading a faithful life was accepting celibacy. Augustine showed that he understood the importance of temperance, but had trouble sustaining it. Toward the end of the book, Augustine

At Thornfield, Jane has to deal with Mr. Rochester. Jane knows that she should not love Rochester, so she tries to prevent it, and tell herself that he doesn’t love her. Jane knows that Rochester loves Blanche Ingram (Bronte 126). After a while, Rochester starts to flirt with Jane, and Jane lets her guard down and the two of them fall in love. At Jane and Rochester's wedding, Jane learns that Rochester has a wife (Bronte 237). This is shocking and hurtful to Jane, because she allowed herself to fall to her desires. Jane knows that she cannot stay at Thornfield, despite what she may want, so she