We typically think about Moderation as limiting, or eliminating the things in life that give us pleasure. However, in Stoic philosophy, Moderation is not about deprivation or asceticism. It focuses on finding harmony by avoiding extremes, ensuring that your life maintains purpose and fulfillment. It's all about cultivating a sense of proportion, recognizing the value of moderation in all things, and increasing intentionality. In its simplest form, Moderation is about balance.
Adhering to the virtue of Moderation does not mean denying ourselves pleasure or enjoyment. Instead, it's about enjoying these things mindfully, in a purposeful and balanced way, by recognizing and understanding the capacity of our desires to return true fulfillment, and avoiding the trap of the endless pursuit of gratification.
Moderation manifests itself in the physical world as self-control, discipline, and balance. It is the virtue that helps us avoid excess - not just in our pleasures, like eating, drinking, leisure, etc., but in all aspects of life including work, exercise and labor. Moderation is the antidote to greed, gluttony, and over-indulgence.
"We should not be so eager to have everything at once, nor so impatient to be rid of what we have. Moderation is the key to happiness."
- Seneca
By cultivating moderation, we can find the balance between life’s pleasures and life’s responsibilities and achieve a greater sense of contentment and well-being.