--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: If I could put it into a very few words…" description: "\"“If I could put it into a very few words, dear sir, I should say that our prevalent belief is in moderation. We inculcate the virtue of avoiding excess..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0c2/james-hilton-8522_character_if-i-could-put-it-into-a-very-few-words_3126879.jpg" --- # If I could put it into a very few words, dear sir, I… ![“If I could put it into a very few words, dear sir, I should say that our prevalent belief is in moderation. We inculcate the virtue of avoiding excesses of all kinds—even including, if you will pardon the paradox, excess of virtue itself.” quote by James Hilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0c2/james-hilton-8522_character_if-i-could-put-it-into-a-very-few-words_3126879.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0c2/james-hilton-8522_character_if-i-could-put-it-into-a-very-few-words_3126879.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0c2/james-hilton-8522_character_if-i-could-put-it-into-a-very-few-words_3126879.jpg) > ““If I could put it into a very few words, dear sir, I should say that our prevalent belief is in moderation. We inculcate the virtue of avoiding excesses of all kinds—even including, if you will pardon the paradox, excess of virtue itself.”” [James Hilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-hilton/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Society praises moderation, yet even virtues can be over‑applied, leading to paradoxical excess. **In simple terms:** Moderation can become a vice when taken too far. Key Takeaway Beware of over‑doing good. Themes moderation virtue paradox Mood reflective thoughtful Type philosophical observational When to use this quote - personal relationships - leadership decisions - policy making Key Concepts ethics social norms balance Questions to Reflect On - When does “enough” become too little? - How can we balance virtue and flexibility? A Different Perspective Excess of virtue may still cause harm or rigidity. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Character](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/character/) [Excess Virtue](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/excess-virtue-2523904/) [Faith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/faith/) [Inculcate Virtue](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inculcate-virtue-2020769/) [Moderation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/moderation/) [Moderation Inculcate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/moderation-inculcate-5513906/) [Philosophy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/philosophy/) [Virtue](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/virtue/) [Virtue Avoiding](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/virtue-avoiding-5513907/) ## Related quotes > [To be successful in an endeavor inculcate the virtue of self esteem, confidence, never to give up and to stand up for the cause…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anil-sinha/to-be-successful-in-an-endeavor-inculcate-the-virtue-of-self-esteem/) [Anil Sinha](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anil-sinha/) > [To be successful in endeavour inculcate the virtue of self esteem,confidence , never to give up & to stand up for the cause without…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dranil-kr-sinha/to-be-successful-in-endeavour-inculcate-the-virtue-of-self-esteem/) [DrAnil Kr Sinha](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dranil-kr-sinha/) > [“I do not admire the excess of a virtue as of valour, except I see at the same time the excess of the opposite…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/blaise-pascal/i-do-not-admire-the-excess-of-a-virtue-as-of-valour-except-i-see-at/) [Blaise Pascal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/blaise-pascal/) > [To be a person of high moral value inculcate virtue of transparency, integrity & honesty.Make yourself stand like rock,if demanding situation tries to budge…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dranil-kr-sinha/to-be-a-person-of-high-moral-value-inculcate-virtue-of-transparency/) [DrAnil Kr Sinha](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dranil-kr-sinha/) > [Setting aside the vast herd which shows no definable character at all, it seems to me that the minority distinguished by what is commonly…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/h-l-mencken/setting-aside-the-vast-herd-which-shows-no-definable-character-at-all/) [H. 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