Self-control means having willpower. It’s been an important idea for a long time. In the past, people called it continence. They said it was the opposite of akrasia, which means a lack of control. Having self-control was seen as a good thing. Not having it was seen as a weakness.
Self-control can show up in different ways. When someone stays calm in a scary moment, that’s called courage. When someone doesn’t get angry, that’s called having a good temper. Both of these show self-control in action. It helps people deal with hard emotions and tough situations.
In Christianity, self-control is seen as a kind of spiritual battle. It’s a fight between the spirit, which wants to follow God, and the flesh, which gives in to temptation. That means self-control isn’t just about behavior — it’s also about inner strength and doing what’s right.
The ancient Greek philosophers also talked about self-control. Plato and Aristotle called it temperance (or sophrosyne). Aristotle said temperance means having balance. Not too much, not too little. People who have too little temperance chase pleasure too much. People who have too much can become too strict or harsh with themselves.
Aristotle compared people to cities. He said a person with no self-control is like a city with good laws that no one follows. A person who is out of control is like a city with bad laws. Both are a problem. The goal is to have good “laws” — your values — and actually live by them.
Self-control isn’t just about saying no to temptation. It’s about balance, courage, and keeping your actions in check. Philosophers and religious teachers from long ago to today all agree: self-control helps you live a good, strong, and moral life.
The Romans also thought self-control was very important. They believed a good person should stay calm, steady, and in control of their emotions. Losing control was seen as weakness, not strength.
For the Romans, self-control was a key part of being virtuous. They called it temperantia, which means moderation. A person with temperantia didn’t go to extremes. They didn’t eat too much, talk too much, or act without thinking. They tried to live in balance, even when life got hard.
Many Roman leaders and philosophers wrote about this idea. Cicero said that real freedom comes from ruling yourself, not from ruling others. Seneca, a famous Stoic, taught that anger and greed were traps, and that a wise person keeps calm no matter what happens.
The Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius also believed in self-control. In his book Meditations, he wrote that people should focus on what they can control and accept what they cannot. He said, “You have power over your mind, not outside events.” That means strength comes from within, not from the world around you.
To the Romans, self-control wasn’t just a private thing — it was part of being a good citizen. A person who stayed calm, worked hard, and acted with reason helped make Rome stronger.
The Romans saw self-control as the key to peace — both inside yourself, and in society. They believed that when people control their emotions and desires, they build order, discipline, and harmony.