Moderation must not claim the merit of combating and conquering ambition; for they can never exist in the same subject. Moderation is the languor and sloth of the soul; ambition its activity and ardor.
—Francois de La Rochefoucauld (1613–80) French Writer
Mistrust the man who finds everything good; the man who finds everything evil; and still more the man who is indifferent to everything.
—Johann Kaspar Lavater (1741–1801) Swiss Theologian, Poet
Howsoever varied the courses of our life, whatsoever the phases of pleasure and ambition through which it has swept along, still, when in memory we would revive the times that were comparatively the happiest, those times will be found to have been the calmest.
—Edward Bulwer-Lytton, 1st Baron Lytton (1803–73) British Novelist, Poet, Politician
It is certainly a very important lesson, to learn how to enjoy ordinary things, and to be able to relish your being, without the transport of some passion, or the gratification of some appetite.
—Richard Steele (1672–1729) Irish Writer, Politician
The choicest pleasures of life lie within the ring of moderation.
—Martin Farquhar Tupper (1810–89) English Poet, Writer
The sensible man drinks only when he is thirsty.
—The Talmud Sacred Text of the Jewish Faith
Tell a man whose house is on fire to give a moderate alarm; tell him to moderately rescue his wife from the hands of the ravisher; tell the mother to gradually extricate her babe from the fire into which it has fallen; but urge me not to use moderation in a case like the present.
—William Lloyd Garrison (1805–79) American Journalist, Abolitionist
I knew a wise man who had for a byword, when he saw men hasten to a conclusion, “stay a little, that we may come to the end sooner.”
—Francis Bacon (1561–1626) English Philosopher
Moderation is an ostentatious proof of our strength of character.
—Francois de La Rochefoucauld (1613–80) French Writer
The true boundary of man is moderation.—When once we pass that pale, our guardian angel quits his charge of us.
—Owen Feltham (1602–1668) English Essayist
Moderation is never applauded for its own sake.
—George Bernard Shaw (1856–1950) Irish Playwright
When a man is pushed, tormented, defeated, he has a chance to learn something; he has been put on his wits … he has gained facts, learned his ignorance, is cured of the insanity of conceit, has got moderation and real skill.
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–82) American Philosopher
To live long it is necessary to live slowly.
—Cicero (106BCE–43BCE) Roman Philosopher, Orator, Politician, Lawyer
They are as sick that surfeit with too much, as they that starve with nothing. It is no mean happiness, therefore, to be seated in the mean: superfluity comes sooner by white hairs, but competency lives longer.
—William Shakespeare (1564–1616) British Playwright
The superior man wishes to be slow in his words, and earnest in his conduct.
—Confucius (551–479 BCE) Chinese Philosopher
Moderate profits fill the purse.
—Italian Proverb
It speaks volumes for a person that when placed in quite different situations, they display the same spirit of moderation.
—Unknown
It is a little stream which flows softly, but it freshens everything along its course.
—Sophie Swetchine (1782–1857) Russian Mystic, Writer
Even moderation ought not to be practiced to excess.
—Unknown
To go beyond the bounds of moderation is to outrage humanity. The greatness of the human soul is shown by knowing how to keep within proper bounds. So far from greatness consisting in going beyond its limits, it really consists in keeping within them.
—Blaise Pascal (1623–62) French Mathematician, Physicist, Theologian
It is better to rise from life as from a banquet—neither thirsty nor drunken.
—Aristotle (384BCE–322BCE) Ancient Greek Philosopher, Scholar
To climb steep hills requires slow pace at first.
—William Shakespeare (1564–1616) British Playwright
Tranquil pleasures last the longest; we are not fitted to bear long the burden of great joys.
—Christian Nestell Bovee (1820–1904) American Writer, Aphorist
It’s best to rise from life like a banquet, neither thirsty or drunken.
—Aristotle (384BCE–322BCE) Ancient Greek Philosopher, Scholar
Moderation resembles temperance. We are not so unwilling to eat more, as afraid of doing ourselves harm by it.
—Francois de La Rochefoucauld (1613–80) French Writer
Moderation in people who are contented comes from that calm that good fortune lends to their spirit.
—Francois de La Rochefoucauld (1613–80) French Writer
Moderation is the key to lasting enjoyment.
—Hosea Ballou (1771–1852) American Theologian
I will not be a slave to myself, for it is a perpetual, a shameful, and the most heavy of all servitudes; and this end I may gain by moderate desires.
—Seneca the Younger (Lucius Annaeus Seneca) (c.4 BCE–65 CE) Roman Stoic Philosopher, Statesman, Tragedian
Keep a mid course between two extremes.
—Ovid (Publius Ovidius Naso) (c.43 BCE–c.18 CE) Roman Poet
You will go most safely in the middle.
—Ovid (Publius Ovidius Naso) (c.43 BCE–c.18 CE) Roman Poet
Let not turn fun to mischief.
—Common Proverb
Let a man take time enough for the most trival deed, though it be but the paring of his nails. The buds swell imperceptibly, without hurry or confusion, as if the short spring days were an eternity.
—Henry David Thoreau (1817–62) American Philosopher
Any plan conceived in moderation must fail when the circumstances are set in extremes.
—Klemens Wenzel, Prince von Metternich (1773–1859) Austrian Political leader, Politician
Out of moderation a pure happiness springs.
—Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749–1832) German Poet
Candor and generosity, unless tempered by due moderation, leads to ruin.
—Tacitus (56–117) Roman Orator, Historian
There is a German proverb which says that “Take it easy,” and “Live long,” are brothers.
—Christian Nestell Bovee (1820–1904) American Writer, Aphorist
Complete abstinence is easier than perfect moderation.
—Augustine of Hippo (354–430) Roman-African Christian Philosopher
Moderation is a fatal thing; nothing succeeds like excess.
—Oscar Wilde (1854–1900) Irish Poet, Playwright
That moderation which nature prescribes, which limits our desires by resources restricted to our needs, has abandoned the field; it has now come to this—that to want only what is enough is a sign both of boorishness and of utter destitution.
—Seneca the Younger (Lucius Annaeus Seneca) (c.4 BCE–65 CE) Roman Stoic Philosopher, Statesman, Tragedian
In adversity assume the countenance of prosperity, and in prosperity moderate the temper and desires.
—Livy (Titus Livius) (59 BCE–17 CE) Roman Historian
Moderation is a virtue only in those who are thought to have an alternative.
—Henry Kissinger (b.1923) American Diplomat, Academician
Temperate temperance is best; intemperate temperance injures the cause of temperance.
—Mark Twain (1835–1910) American Humorist
Everything that exceeds the bounds of moderation, has an unstable foundation.
—Seneca the Younger (Lucius Annaeus Seneca) (c.4 BCE–65 CE) Roman Stoic Philosopher, Statesman, Tragedian
It is the sign of a great mind to dislike greatness, and prefer things in measure to things in excess.
—Seneca the Younger (Lucius Annaeus Seneca) (c.4 BCE–65 CE) Roman Stoic Philosopher, Statesman, Tragedian
Moderation is the inseparable companion of wisdom, but with it genius has not even a nodding acquaintance.
—Charles Caleb Colton (c.1780–1832) English Clergyman, Aphorist
Only action gives life strength, only moderation gives it charm.
—Charles Spurgeon (1834–92) English Baptist Preacher
Temperance is moderation in the things that are good and total abstinence from the things that are foul.
—Frances Willard (1839–98) American Women’s Rights, Temperance Activist
Moderation is commonly firm, and firmness is commonly successful.
—Samuel Johnson (1709–84) British Essayist
Eat and drink to live; live not to eat and drink, for thus do the beasts.
—The Talmud Sacred Text of the Jewish Faith
Fortify yourself with moderation; for this is an impregnable fortress.
—Epictetus (55–135) Ancient Greek Philosopher