This quote suggests that virtue, or moral excellence, lies in finding a balance between two extremes: one of excess and one of deficiency. It implies that both too much and too little of something can be detrimental, and that the most ethical and beneficial path often lies somewhere in the middle.

For example, consider the virtue of courage. According to Aristotle’s philosophy, courage is the golden mean between recklessness (excess) and cowardice (deficiency). If one is too reckless, they might put themselves or others in unnecessary danger. On the other hand, if one is too cowardly, they might miss out on important opportunities or fail to stand up for what is right. Courage, then, is the balanced approach: it involves taking calculated risks when necessary, but also knowing when to step back.

This concept can be applied in numerous ways in today’s world and in personal development. For instance, in the workplace, being a good leader often involves finding the golden mean between being too controlling (excess) and too passive (deficiency). A good leader knows when to take charge and when to step back and let their team members take the lead.

In personal development, this concept can be applied to areas such as self-confidence. Too much self-confidence can come off as arrogance, while too little can prevent one from taking necessary risks or standing up for oneself. The golden mean, then, would be a healthy level of self-confidence: enough to believe in oneself and take chances, but not so much that it alienates others or leads to reckless decisions.

In conclusion, Aristotle’s concept of the golden mean encourages us to strive for balance in all areas of our lives, from our personal traits to our actions and decisions. It suggests that virtue and moral excellence can often be found in moderation, rather than in extremes.