The Maxim of the Mean is the objective counter-part of the subjective Principle of Moderation. The latter says: Don't over--, or under-exercise any of your faculties; and the former says: Don't have too much or too little of any thing. Too much of any thing is good for nothing. Too little of it is worse than nothing. "Too much" and "too little" are relative terms and signify nothing by themselves. It is only with reference to oneself and one's environment at any particular time and place that they acquire a meaning as "excess" and "defect" respectively. I cannot explain it better than give a few instances in a tabular form where the "mean" comes between the "excess" and the "defect" of a quality of the head or heart, or a course of action. (1) Qualities of the Head (Reason):-- _Excess. Mean. Defect._ Caution Prudence Neglect Doubt Conviction Uncertainty Conceit Modesty Diffidence Sensitive Attentive Indifferent (2) Qualities of the Heart (Passions):-- Cowardice Courage Rashness Sensuality Temperance Abstinence Bigot Enthusiastic Lukewarm (3) Courses of Action:-- Restriction Liberty Licence Flattery Courtesy Rudeness Favouritism Justice Injustice Prodigal Generous Miserly You will find out for yourself what are the appropriate qualities or courses of conduct, of which the excess, mean and defect are expressed by the words given above. Fear, for example, is the feeling of which excess is Cowardice and defect is Rashness, while the mean is Courage. Similarly as regards one's own opinion of one's powers, excess is Conceit and defect is Diffidence, while the mean is Modesty. Again too much or too little restraint on action is Restriction or Licence while the mean is Liberty.