The knowledge may, so to speak, be there, but is in abeyance, a condition which is palpably exemplified in a drunken man. It implies, however, violent desire, which intemperance does not. Its legitimate application, in short, is restricted to the normal. Incontinence in respect of anger is not so bad as in respect of desire. It is often constitutional, it is in itself painful, and it is not wanton, being in all three points unlike the other.
Incontinence means transgressing the ordinary standards in respect of pleasure and pain.
The latter is open, and is curable. The other extreme, of actual apathy, is rare. HERE it becomes necessary to make some inquiry as to pleasure and pain. But it cannot be bad per se, since it may be defined as the unimpeded activity of a formed faculty. And even they are not evil, but only the excessive pursuit of them.