Page:Back to the Republic.djvu/37



HE golden mean is a concept almost as old as humanity itself. Confucius wrote interestingly about the mean. Horace gave expression to the phrase "aurea mediocritas."

The mean that is golden is that middle point or degree in any quality, state or activity which avoids the dangers or errors of either extreme by the striking of a well balanced medium.

In the study of any science or of any problem we can learn much by observing the laws of nature. If in sowing grain we use too little seed, the crop will be small. If sufficient is sowed, the best possible crop will result. If too much is sowed, there will be no mature crop, because the plants will be too crowded to secure the proper nourishment, light and air. Again, if too little moisture falls upon the soil, you have a drought and little crop; if sufficient moisture, the best crop; if too much moisture, the field is flooded, the plants rot, and you have no crop.

In no sphere of activity do we find the dangers of the two extremes more disastrous, and on the Rh