Judith Martin Quotes

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

Moderation is the secret of survival.

Yield nothing to love that is denied to discretion.

One must not permit oneself excesses, except with persons whom one wishes soon to leave.

Temper your enjoyments with prudence, lest there be written on your heart that fearful word 'satiety.'

I'm not a fighter. If there's something going on that I really feel strongly about, I'll certainly stand up but I pick my battles.

Let there be a door to thy mouth, that it may be shut when need arises, and let it be carefully barred, that none may rouse thy voice to anger, and thou pay back abuse with abuse.

Always do sober what you said you'd do drunk. That will teach you to keep your mouth shut.

I'm careful, controlled, bodily conservative: if someone offered me a pill I'd only ever take a half.

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

It's a wise thing to hold back.

Blessed is the man, who having nothing to say, abstains from giving wordy evidence of the fact.

Even at my peak, I never went too over the top.

To be witty is not enough. One must possess sufficient wit to avoid having too much of it.

Freedom consists not in doing what we like, but in having the right to do what we ought.

I think I invented the phrase 'Don't overdo it.'

If the impulse to daring and bravery is too fierce and violent, stay it with guidance and instruction.

An Englishman's never so natural as when he's holding his tongue.

No man has a right to do what he pleases, except when he pleases to do right.

There is a time and a place for things. Sometimes one needs to put a filter on oneself. That can be a good thing.

Living with a conscience is like driving with the brakes on.

I'm probably a little too uninhibited.

Imagination, the supreme delight of the immortal and the immature, should be limited. In order to enjoy life, we should not enjoy it too much.

Honesty is a good thing, but it is not profitable to its possessor unless it is kept under control.

If the quickness of the mind and the fluency of the tongue are too punctilious and sharp, moderate them in your activity and rest.