Continence

Continence is normally accepted to be the control or moderation of any appetite, whether for food, drink, sexual satisfaction or whatever. Greek philosophy considers such moderation necessary to avoid pleasure passing beyond the bounds of reason. The Christian tradition normally associates continence with control of sexual appetite, voluntary abstention from conjugal acts being a characteristic of many traditions at specific times, for example before or during a hunting trip or a battle, or a religious festival. Abstinence from particular kinds of food – whether meat in general (vegetarianism), pork (Jewish and Muslim faiths), beef (Hindu) or alcohol (a number of protestant sects), may becoming the distinguishing mark of a particular group and serve to underline the individual's membership of such a group. In any case, the disposition of will to exercise self-restraint, holding firm against the disorderly impulses inherent in sensual appetite, has the function of training the individual to face any circumstance without violent or disorderly reactions. Such self-control inherently gives responsibility in action and is compatible with freedom and self-understanding. Continence, a virtue of the will, is contrasted with temperance, when the desires themselves are modified.