Moderation and Aristotle

http://changingminds.org/explanations/values/aristotle_ethics.htm

Aristotle's Ethics Explanations > Values > Aristotle's Ethics Aristotle made note (and Plato agreed) that moral virtue is about the exercise of control over natural feelings, and that good values is indicated through the use of good judgment in finding an effective balance between extremes. Aristotle thus had a personal value of  moderation. In his Nicomachean Ethics, he gave examples: VICE (Defect)VIRTUE (Mean)VICE (Excess)Cowardice (too little confidence)CourageRashness (too much confidence) Foolhardiness (too little fear)CourageCowardice (too much fear) Insensibility (too little pleasure)TemperanceSelf-indulgence (too much pleasure)Meanness or Stinginess (too little giving)Liberality Prodigality or Wastefulness (too much giving)Niggardliness (in giving  out large sums of money)MagnificenceTastlessness and Vulgarity  (giving out large sums)Undue Humility (too little honor)Proper Pride Empty Vanity (too much honor)Inirascibility (too little anger) Good TemperIrascible (too much anger)Shamelessness (too little shame)Modesty Bashfulness (too much shame) Surliness FriendlinessFlattery  So what? If you want to be like Aristotle, be moderate. More generally, moderation is a pretty good guide to acceptable behavior. See also Nicomachean Ethics