This was so beautifully written—thank you, Maddie.
Your framing of temperance as a “yes” more than a “no” reminded me how easily we forget that virtue is about joy, not deprivation. The Hobbits embody this so tenderly: their feasting isn’t gluttony—it’s gratitude made visible. Their cheerfulness, their love of gardens, their midday songs—it’s all a quiet theology of enough.
The connection to Aquinas is spot on. Ordered pleasure isn’t indulgence—it’s alignment with divine design. The Hobbits don’t fear delight; they simply don’t hoard it. And that makes all the difference.
Loved the image of the tomb leading not to death but to life—and of course, to Sam’s garden. What a subtle and powerful way to show how denial gives way to abundance.
What an interesting perspective! I had not thought of temperance or moderation as a virtue of hobbits. I need to go back and read Tolkien again!
Tolkien seems to have wanted to create something distinctively English - not Latinized, not Hellenized - yet temperance and moderation are hallmarks of Greek philosophy particularly. And to me, the hobbits seem to embody the virtues of the yeoman or husbandman - attached to the soil and its simple pleasures, but avoiding overindulgence because, like any people who are attached to land but lack great wealth, they know that abundance and want are two sides of the same coin.
A failure of temperance is typically a failing of those who have too much, which is why the teaching of the Greeks is so relevant now, when the powerful in most societies have far too much. The hobbits, though, live a much simpler life. Perhaps what Tolkien is really emphasizing is the benefit of not having too much, and the discipline engendered by having just the right amount.
What makes the hobbits special they say enough. They love their simple lives and are not interested in building empires, fame or becoming rich beyond measure. This is antithetical to the modern life where we always need more.
In the Screwtape Letters, Lewis writes through Screwtape, "He [Jesus] has filled His world full of pleasures. There are things for humans to do all day long without His minding in the least -- sleeping, washing, eating, drinking, making love, playing, praying, working. Everything has to be twisted before it's any use to us." Your words reminded me of this disorder that we experience in the fallen world, but ultimately it was made for good.
A great way to explain true temperance and true pleasure. I think many of us who follow Christ have experienced this at times, that death to self allows us to be our true selves; and forgoing what we think is pleasurable allows us to discover true enjoyment and pleasure.
The maturity of a disciple is to realise there is more and more of this way of living to discover. Further up and further in!
I've been thinking about this essay so much, Maddie. Such a great point you make. It almost makes me think of how other cultures - Italy, France, etc - are able to enjoy some good pasta and a glass of wine in a way that we Americans admire... It doesn't seem glutinous, but a way of savoring the good things in life. This attitude shift is everything - and so wonderfully exemplified by hobbits!
A delightful, thought-provoking essay! It doesn't solve my struggle with temperance, but it surely gives me something to think about and perhaps hope for one day.
Love your approach to hobbits/ Yesterday I encountered 'second breakfast' in Jane Austen's Mansfield Park. I was quite surprised that it was a thing :)
Thanks for this. True hobbit-style temperance as you describe it here reminds me of the conclusion of Confucius’ little resume of his own spiritual growth: after describing how he was at 40, 50 etc he says “At 70 I could follow the desires of my heart without overstepping the bounds.”
This was so beautifully written—thank you, Maddie.
Your framing of temperance as a “yes” more than a “no” reminded me how easily we forget that virtue is about joy, not deprivation. The Hobbits embody this so tenderly: their feasting isn’t gluttony—it’s gratitude made visible. Their cheerfulness, their love of gardens, their midday songs—it’s all a quiet theology of enough.
The connection to Aquinas is spot on. Ordered pleasure isn’t indulgence—it’s alignment with divine design. The Hobbits don’t fear delight; they simply don’t hoard it. And that makes all the difference.
Loved the image of the tomb leading not to death but to life—and of course, to Sam’s garden. What a subtle and powerful way to show how denial gives way to abundance.
What an interesting perspective! I had not thought of temperance or moderation as a virtue of hobbits. I need to go back and read Tolkien again!
Tolkien seems to have wanted to create something distinctively English - not Latinized, not Hellenized - yet temperance and moderation are hallmarks of Greek philosophy particularly. And to me, the hobbits seem to embody the virtues of the yeoman or husbandman - attached to the soil and its simple pleasures, but avoiding overindulgence because, like any people who are attached to land but lack great wealth, they know that abundance and want are two sides of the same coin.
A failure of temperance is typically a failing of those who have too much, which is why the teaching of the Greeks is so relevant now, when the powerful in most societies have far too much. The hobbits, though, live a much simpler life. Perhaps what Tolkien is really emphasizing is the benefit of not having too much, and the discipline engendered by having just the right amount.
These are great insights — I hadn’t thought of connecting their virtues to the classic schools of thought. Thank you for sharing these thoughts!
What makes the hobbits special they say enough. They love their simple lives and are not interested in building empires, fame or becoming rich beyond measure. This is antithetical to the modern life where we always need more.
In the Screwtape Letters, Lewis writes through Screwtape, "He [Jesus] has filled His world full of pleasures. There are things for humans to do all day long without His minding in the least -- sleeping, washing, eating, drinking, making love, playing, praying, working. Everything has to be twisted before it's any use to us." Your words reminded me of this disorder that we experience in the fallen world, but ultimately it was made for good.
That’s a great quote, thanks for sharing!
A great way to explain true temperance and true pleasure. I think many of us who follow Christ have experienced this at times, that death to self allows us to be our true selves; and forgoing what we think is pleasurable allows us to discover true enjoyment and pleasure.
The maturity of a disciple is to realise there is more and more of this way of living to discover. Further up and further in!
Amen! Well said
Aquinas and Gandalf. You can't go too wrong listening to them...
“I Have Found It Is The Small Things, Everyday Deeds Of Ordinary Folk, That Keeps The Darkness At Bay. Simple Acts Of Kindness And Love.”
Two of the wisest men I’ve ever met :)
I've been thinking about this essay so much, Maddie. Such a great point you make. It almost makes me think of how other cultures - Italy, France, etc - are able to enjoy some good pasta and a glass of wine in a way that we Americans admire... It doesn't seem glutinous, but a way of savoring the good things in life. This attitude shift is everything - and so wonderfully exemplified by hobbits!
It’s true! Our culture seems somehow both obsessed with and terrified of real pleasure
A delightful, thought-provoking essay! It doesn't solve my struggle with temperance, but it surely gives me something to think about and perhaps hope for one day.
Love your approach to hobbits/ Yesterday I encountered 'second breakfast' in Jane Austen's Mansfield Park. I was quite surprised that it was a thing :)
How lovely!
Thanks for this. True hobbit-style temperance as you describe it here reminds me of the conclusion of Confucius’ little resume of his own spiritual growth: after describing how he was at 40, 50 etc he says “At 70 I could follow the desires of my heart without overstepping the bounds.”
Well-said!! 👏🏽 👏🏽 👏🏽
Thanks, Susanna!
First time here. Loved this! A pleasure to read, while bursting with wisdom many of us so often overlook.