Thomas Aquinas, Summa Theologiae

Objection 1: It would seem that modesty is not a part of temperance. For modesty is denominated from mode. Now mode is requisite in every virtue: since virtue is directed to good; and "good," according to Augustine (De Nat. Boni 3), "consists in mode, species, and order." Therefore modesty is a general virtue, and consequently should not be reckoned a part of temperance.

Objection 2: Further, temperance would seem to be deserving of praise chiefly on account of its moderation. Now this gives modesty its name. Therefore modesty is the same as temperance, and not one of its parts.

Objection 3: Further, modesty would seem to regard the correction of our neighbor, according to 2 Tim. 2:24,25, "The servant of the Lord must not wrangle, but be mild towards all men . . . with modesty admonishing them that resist the truth." Now admonishing wrong-doers is an act of justice or of charity, as stated above (Question 33, Article 1). Therefore seemingly modesty is a part of justice rather than of temperance.

On the contrary, Tully (De Invent. Rhet. ii, 54) reckons modesty as a part of temperance.

I answer that, As stated above (Question 141, Article 4; Question 157, Article 3), temperance brings moderation into those things wherein it is most difficult to be moderate, namely the concupiscences of pleasures of touch. Now whenever there is a special virtue about some matter of very great moment, there must needs be another virtue about matters of lesser import: because the life of man requires to be regulated by the virtues with regard to everything: thus it was stated above (Question 134, Article 3, ad 1), that while magnificence is about great expenditure, there is need in addition for liberality, which is concerned with ordinary expenditure. Hence there is need for a virtue to moderate other lesser matters where moderation is not so difficult. This virtue is called modesty, and is annexed to temperance as its principal.

Reply to Objection 1: When a name is common to many it is sometimes appropriated to those of the lowest rank; thus the common name of angel is appropriated to the lowest order of angels. In the same way, mode which is observed by all virtues in common, is specially appropriated to the virtue which prescribes the mode in the slightest things.

Reply to Objection 2: Some things need tempering on account of their strength, thus we temper strong wine. But moderation is necessary in all things: wherefore temperance is more concerned with strong passions, and modesty about weaker passions.

Reply to Objection 3: Modesty is to be taken there for the general moderation which is necessary in all virtues.

Articulus 1

Argumentum 1

Ad primum sic proceditur. Videtur quod modestia non sit pars temperantiae. Modestia enim a modo dicitur. Sed in omnibus virtutibus requiritur modus, nam virtus ordinatur ad bonum; bonum autem, ut Augustinus dicit, in libro de natura boni, consistit in modo, specie et ordine.

Ergo modestia est generalis virtus. Non ergo debet poni pars temperantiae.

Argumentum 2

Praeterea, laus temperantiae praecipue videtur consistere ex quadam moderatione. Ab hac autem sumitur nomen modestiae. Ergo modestia est idem quod temperantia, et non pars eius.

Argumentum 3

Praeterea, modestia videtur consistere circa proximorum correctionem, secundum illud II ad Tim. II, servum dei non oportet litigare, sed mansuetum esse ad omnes, cum modestia corripientem eos qui resistunt veritati.

Sed correctio delinquentium est actus iustitiae vel caritatis, ut supra habitum est.

Ergo videtur quod modestia magis sit pars iustitiae quam temperantiae.

Sed Contra

Sed contra est quod tullius ponit modestiam partem temperantiae.

Corpus

Respondeo dicendum quod, sicut supra dictum est, temperantia moderationem adhibet circa ea in quibus difficillimum est moderari, scilicet circa concupiscentias delectationum tactus.

Ubicumque autem est aliqua virtus specialiter circa aliquod maximum, oportet esse aliam virtutem circa ea quae mediocriter se habent, eo quod oportet quantum ad omnia vitam hominis secundum virtutes regulatam esse, sicut supra dictum est quod magnificentia est circa magnos sumptus pecuniarum, praeter quam est necessaria liberalitas, quae fit circa mediocres sumptus.

Unde necessarium est quod sit quaedam virtus moderativa in aliis mediocribus, in quibus non est ita difficile moderari. Et haec virtus vocatur modestia, et adiungitur temperantiae sicut principali.

Ad 1

Ad primum ergo dicendum quod nomen commune quandoque appropriatur his quae sunt infima, sicut nomen commune Angelorum appropriatur infimo ordini Angelorum. Ita etiam et modus, qui communiter observatur in qualibet virtute, appropriatur specialiter virtuti quae in minimis modum ponit.

Ad 2

Ad secundum dicendum quod aliqua temperatione indigent propter suam vehementiam, sicut vinum forte temperatur, sed moderatio requiritur in omnibus. Et ideo temperantia magis se habet ad passiones vehementes, modestia vero ad mediocres.

Ad 3

Ad tertium dicendum quod modestia ibi accipitur a modo communiter sumpto, prout requiritur in omnibus virtutibus.