Self-control implies restriction.

[jidong xiao]

在六节彼得继续说，“在知识上供应节制，在节制上供应忍耐，在忍耐上供应敬虔。”节制，或，自制，就是在情感、喜好和习惯上管治并约束己。为着生命正确的长大，需要在知识上供应并发展节制。

我们一旦得着知识，就很容易变得骄傲。为这缘故，我们需要在我们的知识上发展节制。节制含示约束。树生长时，根就往外伸展，但树干相当受约束的向上生长。这个例子说明一个事实，就是随着美德和知识的发展，我们需要节制所带来的约束。

In verse 6 Peter continues, "And in knowledge self-control, and in self-control endurance, and in endurance godliness." Self-control, or temperance, is the exercise of control and restraint over the self in its passions, desires, and habits. This needs to be supplied and developed in knowledge for the proper growth in life. 

Once we have acquired knowledge, it is easy for us to become proud. For this reason, we need to develop in our knowledge self-control. Self-control implies restriction. As a tree grows, the roots spread out, but the trunk grows upward in a rather restricted manner. This is an illustration of the fact that along with the development of virtue and knowledge, we need the restriction that comes with self-control.