Know thyself · 9 June 2026 · Charlotte Himsworth
Nothing in Excess: The Other Words at Delphi
“Know thyself” had companions at Apollo’s temple. One of them is perhaps the wisest rule of all.
“Know thyself” was not the only maxim at Delphi. Ancient writers record others, including mēden agan, “nothing in excess”, and a third, often translated “make a pledge and trouble is near”, warning against rash promises.
Nothing in excess
“Nothing in excess” is the golden mean in three words. Too much of anything, even something good, pulls us away from our centre. It applies to work and rest, food and fasting, speaking and silence.
Companions
The two maxims belong together. To know yourself is to know your tendencies towards excess; to avoid excess is to live wisely within what you know.
Balance in body and mind
Whether we are caring for our bodies or our minds, moderation is rarely glamorous and almost always wise. It is the Principle of Polarity, lived gently.
A practice
Choose one area where you tend towards too much, or too little. Make one small adjustment towards the middle, and keep it for a week.