Poverty wants some, luxury many, and avarice all things. – Seneca
"This one is Just Right!"
What does that mean?
I’m not sure if Seneca was that brief, or if the translators tried to tighten up his prose. A more easily read version might go as follows: “Poverty wants some things. Luxury wants many things. Avarice wants all things.”
Here, Seneca is speaking of the desire of man’s heart. Those in poverty typically just want enough to survive. Those in luxury want a lot more. Of course, avarice wants everything in sight, and then some. How much do you want?
Why is moderation important?
Avarice is defined by thefreedictionary.com as “Immoderate desire for wealth” and is considered one of the seven deadly sins. So, it’s pretty clear that we want to stay away from too much want, right?
Moderation is a kind of ‘Goldilocks‘ approach, neither too much nor too little, but just right. That said, what Donald Trump considers ‘just right’ and you or I consider ‘just right’ are likely very different. However, I believe you, I, and Donald would all agree that the shoe collection of Imelda Marcos crossed the line from luxury into avarice.
Moderation is another of the societal guard rails that help guide a group of people on a stable path. If, as has happened in the past, everyone wanted a feather from a specific bird for their hat, that would be immoderate, and the entire species would be threatened.
What if everyone needed a beaver hat and a jacket of the same? Fortunately, Colonial America (and French America, as well as Canada) had a few beavers to spare, but only just. Moderation can be a useful thing, don’t you think?
Where can I apply this in my life?
Moderation sounds like such an ugly word. It sounds like something a killjoy (spoil sport, buzzkill) would say. Where is the fun in that? Now I’m not suggesting everyone get out their Thanksgiving or Puritan outfits. Not by a long shot.
What I am recommending against is a habit of excess on a regular basis. Do we typically eat too much on celebratory days? I know I do. The 4th of July means BBQ and hot dogs until I’m ready to explode. Thanksgiving and Christmas are also feast days at my household.
However, we don’t eat like that every day. If I did, I wouldn’t be able to get through the door, even if I greased it first! A feast is a luxury. Constantly feeding at that level would be gluttony (avarice applied to food). That is part of the definition of moderation, enough to be enjoyed, but not to excess.
Another example would be alcohol. Moderation may mean a beer or glass of wine now and then, perhaps a couple of big parties a month. I think it clearly becomes immoderate when you’re drunk more nights than you’re sober. Finer lines of differentiation will depend on you, your values and your society.
Moderation helps us hold in check some of the crazier things we want. If you old car is beyond repair, and you need a car, moderation asks for something functional, luxury asks for a really nice car, and avarice asks for a Rolls Royce covered in mirrors.
Think about the things you do that might go beyond moderation and past luxury, even. What do you do that might just go too far? Write a few things down and give them some thought.
Do you want to cut back a little, or eliminate it entirely? I would only eliminate those things that are either so excessive that they are harming you, or things that would harm you even if present in lesser amounts.
How will you accomplish this task of reducing or eliminating one of the items on your list? What is the lure (or allure) that gets you to go beyond moderation? In my case, I had to change my friends. I had been hanging with some heavy drinkers, but I couldn’t stop. My only option was to stay away from them.
There are many ways to reduce excesses in your life. Most take will power, others might take something more. Unfortunately, this is an incredibly personal journey, and one that I can’t help you with, other than to provide encouragement.
If you are having difficulties, it might help to find a counseling agency, or some support group that deals with whatever issue you are trying to cut down to size. Like Goldilocks said, “This one is just right!” Try to find what is right for you, neither too little nor too much, but just right.
One last thing to consider, an old saying as well, “moderation in all things, including moderation!” This has been attributed (although never definitively sourced) to both the American Author Mark Twain and the Roman Petronius. Have some fun, and once in a while have a blowout, but live with moderation as your guide.
From: Twitter, @philo_quotes
confirmed at : http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/l/luciusanna162729.html
Photo by Krystn Palmer Photography
