To Thine Own Self Be Moderately True?
I often hear well-meaning folks say with a bit of counsel in their voice, "Moderation in all things..." but I resist the urge to club them with my ten-pound zucchini! Instead, I did some research and found out that the origin of that idiomatic advice probably comes from Aristotle's Doctrine of the Mean. He had some good ideas about finding the middle ground between excess and deficiency, but he did not say, folks, that a person should approach ALL things, good or bad, with moderation! There are just too many people who have stretched that to the point of saying that it's okay to indulge in a moderate amount of a bad thing! Faulty thinking!
The Apostle Paul knew the difference: "...be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit." (Ephesians 5:18) The Savior said that if we are lukewarm he will "spue" us out of his mouth! (Revelation 3:16) In 1992 Elder Dallin H. Oaks said, "Moderation in all things is not a virtue because it would seem to justify moderation in commitment. That is not moderation but indifference. Moderation is not the answer."
Exactly! So forgive me but I prefer NOT to be moderately honest, moderately true OR moderately healthy!!!
5 comments:
I have been guilty of using that phrase myself, even though I tend to be an all-or-nothing kind of a gal. Maybe I just like using it to justify my few (very few, indeed, cough, cough) weaknesses!
See but you're wrong. The scriptures say it's okay to commit a little sin, lie a little, dig neighborly pits once in awhile. There is surely no harm in this. Moderation! Aren't you proud of me? Using scripture to prove myself right? ;)
Hahah, also, I think it would be hilarious if Shakespeare wrote that! Just be a little true! Man, and that quote was popular before, think how many people would jump on board now! It'd be the most popular tattoo of all!
Julie,
Just as proud of you as Shel Silverstein: I close my eyes and shake my head--too proud of you to speak...(sniff).
I am moderately amused at all of you.
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