Incontinence

Incontinence is the vice opposed directly tocontinence. It consists either in the impetuosity or the weakness of a soul which impulsively, and without the counsel of reason, surrenders to evil desires; or, after the counsel of reason, is weak and reluctant to accept the judgment of reason.

Incontinence is a sin, because it conflicts with reason, and because it plunges a person into what is shameful. Itis to be remarked, however, that the word incontinence is often used with no implication of lust at all; it is used to express eagerness, enthusiasm, urgency in acting, even in what isblameless or in what is good. Hence, care is to be taken in interpreting this word.

As continence has not the full perfection and scope of temperance, so incontinence has not the full character, and is notso grave a sin, as intemperance.

Incontinence, as referring to evil desires, is sometimes contrasted with wild and unbridled anger. Such anger is itself often called incontinence. Now, in itself, the incontinenceof lustful desire is much worse than the incontinence of anger; itis a greater deordination of reasonable life, and a thing of far greater shame than anger is. In result, however, the case may be different. Incontinence of anger may lead to greater evils than does the incontinence of lust. For the incontinence of lustharms the man guilty of it, whereas the incontinence of anger may break out into violence that does damage to others also.