The quality of avoiding extremes and keeping something within reasonable limits; restraint and balance.
From Latin 'moderatio' (temperance, keeping measure), derived from 'modus' (measure or mode). Entered English through Old French, carrying its sense of balance and propriety from Roman philosophy.
Ancient Roman philosophy made 'modus' (measure) the foundation of virtue—Aristotle's 'golden mean' taught that virtue is finding the middle ground between extremes. Moderation isn't exciting, but it's literally the most philosophically defended human behavior in Western thought.
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