The choicest pleasures of life lie within the ring of moderation.
—Martin Farquhar Tupper (1810–89) English Poet, Writer
Complete abstinence is easier than perfect moderation.
—Augustine of Hippo (354–430) Roman-African Christian Philosopher
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
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 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
Out of moderation a pure happiness springs.
—Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749–1832) German Poet
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
Eat and drink to live; live not to eat and drink, for thus do the beasts.
—The Talmud Sacred Text of the Jewish Faith
Any plan conceived in moderation must fail when the circumstances are set in extremes.
—Klemens Wenzel, Prince von Metternich (1773–1859) Austrian Diplomat, Statesman
Moderation is a fatal thing; nothing succeeds like excess.
—Oscar Wilde (1854–1900) Irish Poet, Playwright
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 true boundary of man is moderation.—When once we pass that pale, our guardian angel quits his charge of us.
—Owen Feltham (1602–68) English Essayist
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
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
The horse fed too freely with oats oft becomes unruly.
—The Talmud Sacred Text of the Jewish Faith
Moderation is the key to lasting enjoyment.
—Hosea Ballou (1771–1852) American Theologian
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, Inventor
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
He will always be a slave who does not know how to live upon a little.
—Horace (Quintus Horatius Flaccus) (65–8 BCE) Roman Poet
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
Be moderate in all things.
—The Talmud Sacred Text of the Jewish Faith
The pursuit, even of the best things, ought to be calm and tranquil.
—Cicero (106BCE–43BCE) Roman Philosopher, Orator, Politician, Lawyer
It’s best to rise from life like a banquet, neither thirsty or drunken.
—Aristotle (384BCE–322BCE) Ancient Greek Philosopher, Scholar
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
Moderation is a virtue only in those who are thought to have an alternative.
—Henry Kissinger (1923–2023) American Statesman, Diplomat, Nobel Peace Prize Winner
Fortify yourself with moderation; for this is an impregnable fortress.
—Epictetus (55–135) Ancient Greek Philosopher
Moderation is never applauded for its own sake.
—George Bernard Shaw (1856–1950) Irish Playwright
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
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