Philip Stanhope, 4th Earl of Chesterfield Quotes

You must be wise, but not too wise.

The sage avoids extremity, excess, and extravagance.

Indeed, moderation is my middle name (though I do not often use it in signing legal documents)

Moderation is a virtue only in those who are thought to have an alternative.

I hope our wisdom will grow with our power, and teach us, that the less we use our power the greater it will be.

This I consider to be a valuable principle in life: Do no thing in excess.

The heart is great which shows moderation in the midst of prosperity.

It is the sign of a great mind to dislike greatness, and to prefer things in measure to things in excess.

You can be very wild and still be very wise.

The highest proof of virtue is to possess boundless power without abusing it.

In order to grow old, you have to experience everything, but in moderation.

Moderation is the inseparable companion of wisdom, but with it genius has not even a nodding acquaintance.

Happy the man when he has not the defects of his qualities.

But curb thou the high spirit in thy breast, for gentle ways are best, and keep aloof from sharp contentions.

Perfect reason flees all extremity, and leads one to be wise with sobriety.

Never stay up on the barren heights of cleverness, but come down into the green valleys of silliness.

Keep to the middle if you wish to keep moderation. The mid way is the safe way. Moderation abides in the mean, and moderation is virtue. Every abiding place outside the bounds of moderation is only exile to the wise man.

Never get too high; never get too low.

You try to live the experience but keep your feet on the ground, not let it go to your head, because that's when you start making mistakes.

So many things--nay every real thing--is good if only it will be humble and ordinate.

In everything the middle course is the best; everything in excess brings trouble.

One who is wise and disciplined, always kind and intelligent, humble and free from pride. One like this will be praised.

Zeal should not outrun discretion.

Perfect reason avoids all extremes.

Perfect good sense shuns all extremity, content to couple wisdom with sobriety.