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Let me throw some ancient history at you. The maxim; “nothing in excess,” goes back at least as far as the ancient Greeks who traveled to Delphi to receive “oracles’ from the gods to guide them toward wisdom and virtue. The priests of the cult of Apollo (sixth century BC) at Delphi preached moderation in all things.
These priests zeroed in on two sayings attributed to Apollo: “Know thyself” and “Nothing in excess.” Later, Socrates took hold of that first phrase and Aristotle’s “Golden Mean” highlighted the second. Aristotle taught that even some virtues, like courage, could become vices if taken to an extreme.
King Solomon preceded all these Greek sages. He said, “If you find honey, eat just enough—too much of it, and you will vomit.” (Proverbs 25:16). He had a way with words.
What is true of honey can be true of you and me. Solomon advised the wise not to spend too much time in a neighbor’s house: “Too much of you, and he will hate you.” (Proverbs 25:17).
OK, you may not want to recite these sayings every time someone calls you “honey” or visits your house. Still, it won’t hurt to keep Solomon’s advice quietly in mind as you attempt to dispense your love in tasty doses. Be thoughtful without being stingy and be sweet without getting syrup on everything.
News flash! We must use our minds as well as our hearts in the practice of true love. Love understands the need for certain boundaries. It seeks to find the line between need and excess. Healthy people, as a rule, do not knowingly trespass into the territory of excess. Enough is enough for them.
Excess can be hard, not only on relationships, but also on God’s creation. The land surface of the world’s rain forest has diminished from 25% at one time to 6% today. Many animal species are now in danger due to the loss of their natural habitat. One reason for this is human excess. True, this planet is resilient and excess is a judgment call. However, love for future earth-dwellers demands discretion and self-control. Christians should lead the way willingly.
Remember, honey is sweeter in moderation.
A word to the wise: Be moderate in your praise of moderation. Thomas Paine observed that, “Moderation in temper is always a virtue; but moderation in principle is always a vice.” (1791). When moral conviction is inconvenient, moderates often surface. Barry Goldwater accepted the 1964 Republican presidential nomination with these words: “Extremism in the defense of liberty is no vice. And… moderation in the pursuit of justice is no virtue.” There are times when thoughtful zeal and passion are appropriate.
How can we sort through all these poignant proverbs to find wisdom? Excess is indeed a judgment call. Life cannot be lived without some lines and limits. Prayer and study can help us find these limits. Love does not dare ignore them. Life without limits is life without love. Love is sweet. So is honey.
“Enough is enough” is excellent advice for lovers and learners, paupers and kings, addicts and ascetics. But wisdom goes even deeper to say, “Enough is a feast!”
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