The word TEMPERANCE is said to have been derived from the latin expression 'temperantia'. It means "moderation or self restraint".

Moderation. is required in all our thoughts, speech and action. The cycle starts with our thoughts. Hence Temperance must start with our thinking. Then our speech and actions are bound to be well 'tempered'.

Tempenance means having a balance between two extremities. Once such a balance is created we transcend both the extremities. Both the devil and the divine in us can be transcended.

Temperance is in not becoming addicted. Temperance is moving in the centre path. Like a river moves between two banks. So long as the river keeps this path it is an useful force. The moment it flows over either of the banks, the result is disastrous.

One day two musicians happened to pass by the tree under which Budha was sitting in meditation. One was saying to the other, "Do not tighten the strings of your sitar too much or they will snap. Do not keep them too loose either or they will produce no music. Keep to the middle path."

Those words hit Buddha with such force that they revolutionized his whole approach to spirituality. He was convinced that they had been said for him. From that minute his life became a way of moderation, of temperance.

Temperance should not be mistaken nor confined to eating and drinking habits only. It should encompass our entire lives.

However, our eating and drinking habits are a reflection of our overall 'temperance' or lack of it.

Thus, these habits assume great importance and we must be conscious of it.

It will indeed be a sad day if the fraternity of Freemasons, believers in moral truth and virtues, come to be classified as men of intemperate habits.

It is therefore necessary for each one in the fraternity to be doubly guarded; to temper our behaviour, our habits and indulgences that the outside World may not think ill of us.

Let us not wait for the Grand Lodge, the Regional Grand Lodge or the Lodges to impose 'temperance' upon us. Let temperance be inbuilt within us. Let temperance become a part of us.

Once we have this balance called TEMPERANCE, we are aware. We are in control of our own lives and thus we may not indulge in anything that may lead to state of intemperance! That is the chastening effect of temperance.