🗣️ Greece: “The measure — moderation — is best”

Greek proverb · Europe

Το μέτρον άριστον

to metron ariston

“The measure — moderation — is best”

Nothing in excess; moderation is the best policy — a core idea of Delphic wisdom.

About this proverb

This saying belongs to the oral tradition of Greece, a country in Europe. Read the full collection of Greece proverbs, or explore the Proverbs of the World index.

Γνῶθι σεαυτόν

gnōthi seauton

“Know thyself”

Insight into your own nature is the beginning of wisdom — inscribed at the Temple of Apollo at Delphi.

Proverbs are traditional folk heritage (public domain); the translation and explanation are our own plain-English rendering. Stored statically.

Traditional sayings from around the world, each with its original wording, a romanisation, a plain-English translation and what it really means.

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Folk wisdom from 2 Oceania countries in the collection.