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
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
It speaks volumes for a person that when placed in quite different situations, they display the same spirit of moderation.
—Unknown
It’s best to rise from life like a banquet, neither thirsty or drunken.
—Aristotle (384BCE–322BCE) Ancient Greek Philosopher, Scholar
A thing moderately good is not so good as it ought to be. Moderation in temper is always a virtue; but moderation in principle is always a vice.
—Thomas Paine (1737–1809) American Nationalist, Author, Pamphleteer, Radical, Inventor
Keep a mid course between two extremes.
—Ovid (Publius Ovidius Naso) (c.43 BCE–c.18 CE) Roman Poet
The superior man wishes to be slow in his words, and earnest in his conduct.
—Confucius (551–479 BCE) Chinese Philosopher
That is mediocrity though it be called moderation.
—Friedrich Nietzsche (1844–1900) German Philosopher, Scholar, Writer
Complete abstinence is easier than perfect moderation.
—Augustine of Hippo (354–430) Roman-African Christian Philosopher
Fortify yourself with moderation; for this is an impregnable fortress.
—Epictetus (55–135) Ancient Greek Philosopher
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
It is better to rise from life as from a banquet—neither thirsty nor drunken.
—Aristotle (384BCE–322BCE) Ancient Greek Philosopher, Scholar
Moderation is the key to lasting enjoyment.
—Hosea Ballou (1771–1852) American Theologian
Only action gives life strength, only moderation gives it charm.
—Charles Spurgeon (1834–92) English Baptist Preacher
Moderation is an ostentatious proof of our strength of character.
—Francois de La Rochefoucauld (1613–80) French Writer
The choicest pleasures of life lie within the ring of moderation.
—Martin Farquhar Tupper (1810–89) English Poet, Writer
Moderation is a virtue only in those who are thought to have an alternative.
—Henry Kissinger (b.1923) American Diplomat, Academician
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
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
There is a German proverb which says that “Take it easy,” and “Live long,” are brothers.
—Christian Nestell Bovee (1820–1904) American Writer, Aphorist
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
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 in people who are contented comes from that calm that good fortune lends to their spirit.
—Francois de La Rochefoucauld (1613–80) French Writer
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 sensible man drinks only when he is thirsty.
—The Talmud Sacred Text of the Jewish Faith
Let not turn fun to mischief.
—Common Proverb
Temperate temperance is best; intemperate temperance injures the cause of temperance.
—Mark Twain (1835–1910) American Humorist
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 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
Candor and generosity, unless tempered by due moderation, leads to ruin.
—Tacitus (56–117) Roman Orator, Historian
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