"كل ما هو أكثر من حاجتنا هو سم. قد يكون القوة، الثروة، الجوع، الأنا، الجشع، الكسل، الحب، الطموح، الكراهية أو أي شيء."

Having more than we need is toxic. Whether it’s something like wealth or power, or even emotions like love and ambition, when we have too much of it, it can turn harmful. It's like how too much of anything can upset a balance—think about overeating your favorite food until you feel sick. The same concept applies to the rest of our lives.

Take the historical context, for instance. This idea isn't new. Philosophers from Aristotle to the Buddha have warned us about the dangers of excess. They recognized that moderation was key to living a balanced, fulfilling life. Back then, the idea was a way to guide people toward a virtuous and stable life, steering clear of the pitfalls that come with overindulgence.

Now, let's look at a real-life example: Imagine a very wealthy businessperson. He started small, with just enough to get by. As his business grew, so did his wealth—much more than he needed. At some point, the pursuit of more money became an obsession. He worked long hours, neglected his family, and lost touch with his friends. What started as a healthy ambition turned into greed, and it poisoned his life. He was rich, but he wasn’t happy.

So how do we apply this wisdom? It’s about finding balance and understanding our true needs. Ask yourself how much is enough. Be honest about what you need versus what you want. If you’re ambitious, that’s great—but don’t let it consume you. Make time for other important aspects of your life like relationships, hobbies, and self-care.

Imagine this: You're a young professional climbing the corporate ladder. You’re driven and want to make a name for yourself. That’s awesome! But picture this—your drive becomes so intense that you start skipping family dinners, you stop meeting friends, and weekends become workdays. Sure, you might get that promotion, but at what cost? Your relationships might suffer, and you might burn out. It’s like running a marathon without pacing yourself; you’ll exhaust yourself before you reach the finish line.

So, take a step back. Think about your priorities. You don’t need to give up your ambitions—just keep them in check. Make sure you’re not sacrificing your well-being and happiness for something that should have a limit. Find time to relax, enjoy your loved ones, and do things you love outside of work.

In essence, moderation keeps us healthy—physically, emotionally, and mentally. It’s a balancing act. We need to recognize when something good starts turning into too much of a good thing.

Chatting about this over a cup of coffee with a friend, you might realize we all struggle with finding that balance. It’s human nature to want more. But knowing when to say “enough” can save us from a lot of grief. So next time you’re chasing after something, take a moment to ask yourself: Is this beneficial, or is it becoming a poison in my life? It’s a simple yet powerful question that can guide you toward a more balanced, fulfilling life.