Greek original · Moderation
Μηδὲν ἄγαν
Mēden agan
“Nothing in excess.”
Inscription at the Temple of Apollo at Delphi
Meaning
What does “Mēden agan” mean?
Keep balance in everything – food, ambition, emotion, even virtue. Too much of a good thing becomes a bad thing.
Origin
The story behind it
Like Know thyself, this maxim was inscribed at Delphi and was attributed in antiquity to one of the Seven Sages of Greece, though sources disagree on which one.
Greek and Latin
From Greek to Latin
The Greek originalΜηδὲν ἄγαν
Mēden agan
The Latin versionNe quid nimis
The Roman playwright Terence used the Latin form ne quid nimis in his comedy Andria.
Pronunciation
How to say it
Roughly MAY-den AH-gan.
When to use it
How to use it today
A calm reminder for a kitchen, a gym, a planner cover, or anyone who tends to overdo things.
- Greek
- Μηδὲν ἄγαν
- Transliteration
- Mēden agan
- English
- Nothing in excess.
- Latin
- Ne quid nimis
- Source
- Inscription at the Temple of Apollo at Delphi
One Latin line. Every Monday.
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