All things in moderation and moderation in all things.

Question

Hello all here, I am getting stuck iwith  this proverb: "All things in moderation and moderation in all things". please, any one explain it to me? Thanx so much in advance. Have a nice weekend. Rose

Maj · Accepted Answer

Gosh, is there a way to say that?

Rose_239 · Answer

Hi Maij,

Thank you for sharing this with me. Actually, I was asked about this sentence in a textbook named Headway few year a go. Yet, I could not explain for him and myself either

Sohj · Answer

Ummm....maybe it would be easiest to understand with some examples.

For example, one would probably be healthier if one exercises moderation in eating: Don't overindulge in anything, including fasting (ie: having too much of nothing

). You will sleep better and have fewer health problems related to consumption such as bulemia, anorexia, malnutrition, diabetes, heart trouble, et cetera, et cetera. THUS, we get the "All things in moderation..." part of the proverb.

For the second part, "...moderation in all things", an example could be that one should be moderate in tone of voice when expressing one's opinion. Which leads us to another proverb: "You catch more flies with honey than you do with vinegar."

The saying is a bit redundant, but, loosely, you might think of it as the first part is related to stuff you take in (food, entertainment, drugs (!), etc.) and the second is what you give out to the rest of the world.

Guest · Answer

You're right with the first bit (don't overdo any single thing) but the second bit is deliberately contradictory, in that it actually encourages you to try everything. Moderation in all things (go easy in everything you do) and in all things (try everthing) moderation.

Also included in that list is moderation itself - in other words, don't be too frugal. Just enough to not be a pig.

It was Oscar Wilde, so what do you expect? The guy was much more enamoured of the sound of the English language and his own cleverness than of the value of what he said. This is the guy who, when asked by a customs officer whether he had anything to declare, replied: "I have nothing to declare but my genius".

He also said that he could make a pun on any subject. When invited to pun about the Queen, he replied: "The Queen is not a subject" (ie:she's the Monarch - everyone else is her subject)

Melissa · Answer

You're right with the first bit (don't overdo any single thing) but the second bit is deliberately contradictory, in that it actually encourages you to try everything. Moderation in all things (go easy in everything you do) and in all things (try everthing) moderation.

Also included in that list is moderation itself - in other words, don't be too frugal. Just enough to not be a pig.

It was Oscar Wilde, so what do you expect? The guy was much more enamoured of the sound of the English language and his own cleverness than of the value of what he said. This is the guy who, when asked by a customs officer whether he had anything to declare, replied: "I have nothing to declare but my genius".

He also said that he could make a pun on any subject. When invited to pun about the Queen, he replied: "The Queen is not a subject" (ie:she's the Monarch - everyone else is her subject)

Miriam · Answer

"Moderation is fatal thing. Nothing succeeds like excess." Oscar Wilde

Now, that sounds nice. But we're not Oscar Wilde! ~chuckles~

Miriam

Mraza · Answer

i do not have any idea wat does it mean

Guest · Answer

We are along the right track...

Saying such as these are generally taken differently by each person and there is normally no right or wrong answer.

By saying all things in moderation is as stated above saying not to over do things. Some people (such as myself) tend to go overboard with things. For example when studying I study for eight hours and don't eat, sleep or do anything. Hence I am not doing things moderately and this is probably not all that healthy either!!!

As moderation in all things. You need to try everything!! This leads to the saying 'you don't know until you try'... Don't just do some things moderately try doing everything in a moderate fashion. In basic English I should study, eat sleep and get a life!!!!!

Hope that helps.

Anonymous · Answer

There is a rumor that it was first found on a tombstone in a Cornish  graveyard :  "All things in moderation and moderation in all  things, including moderation.  I think I overdid the moderation."

Anonymous · Answer

0 The way I take the quote "Moderation in all things, including moderation." may be a little different I guess, but I think the statement is a little more important than people give it credit for. For instance, I've thought this exact thing before. I just lack the elegant articulation that could explain it like this.02br
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00I had a very simple discussion with a friend about religion and afterlife. Basically, I don't have any definite answers in this department (and neither does ANYONE), so I'm very careful to be "Moderate" about things that we don't know much about. 02br
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00I said that it is not a bad theory that there is a "***", it's just an unprovable one. And the exact opposite is also true. I have criticisms for both atheists 01i00and02i00 believers alike. They are both making very strong presumptions about things that have very little evidence to support their conclusions. So, I take the stance that is considered most "Moderate". I don't know, it could be both. I have little faith in faith and even less in the bitter atheists who gain nothing from their "faith that nothing exists beyond our consciousnesses" (except maybe a little ego boost and a few less religious wars). I think though that they would just as quickly fight a war as people who DO believe, if only they had been established for a few thousand years, with a group identity, and an infastructure to fight it. Atleast people with faith in a greater power can be a little happier believing they have a father or friend in their worst times who will always love them. Sounds nice to me, I just can't bring myself to conclude that for sure. But I digress. The point is that I am pretty moderate.02br
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00But what if there 01i00is02i00 an answer out there? Wouldn't it be presumptuous (and wrong) to put yourself in the center of the scale while the real answer is actually on one end or the other? If the goal is to find the truth in the world, making a moderate DECISION that is wrong, is still wrong (just maybe not as wrong as choosing the wrong extreme). I don't know, this is a very loose argument, but that is what the quote "Moderation in all things, including moderation." means to me. Making a choice to be in the "middle" of an argument can still be wrong, it's just safer. And some would argue that it is an impractical choice. In politics, moderation may be a weak and compromising policy that starts a war, when a strong stance would have prevented it, for example. So taking moderation in moderation can be very useful, some decisions in life are not easy since the forseen consequences are both equally enticing or frightening (or both), but being moderate, or not making a decision (as I sometimes do) can often get you in more trouble than if you had just chosen one of the extremes and ran with it.02br
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00Anyway, those are my thoughts I hope they make a little sense.02br
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00Thanks for the enlightening thought exercise. 050010id1

All things in moderation and moderation in all things.

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