Help me to find a proverb about average being better





.everyoneloves__top-leaderboard:empty,.everyoneloves__mid-leaderboard:empty{ margin-bottom:0;
}






up vote
2
down vote

favorite












I am looking for an American proverb which connotes that average is better than maximum or minimum. For instance, if you work regularly you are probably in some cases more successful than people who work to their utmost or than people who are relaxed.










share|improve this question









New contributor




mohammad is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.




















  • Good luck with that. Americans are notorious for a "win at all costs" and "second place is just the best loser" attitude.
    – DJClayworth
    Dec 2 at 3:56










  • Does it need to be an American proverb, or can it be any English-language proverb?
    – Mark Beadles
    Dec 2 at 19:02

















up vote
2
down vote

favorite












I am looking for an American proverb which connotes that average is better than maximum or minimum. For instance, if you work regularly you are probably in some cases more successful than people who work to their utmost or than people who are relaxed.










share|improve this question









New contributor




mohammad is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.




















  • Good luck with that. Americans are notorious for a "win at all costs" and "second place is just the best loser" attitude.
    – DJClayworth
    Dec 2 at 3:56










  • Does it need to be an American proverb, or can it be any English-language proverb?
    – Mark Beadles
    Dec 2 at 19:02













up vote
2
down vote

favorite









up vote
2
down vote

favorite











I am looking for an American proverb which connotes that average is better than maximum or minimum. For instance, if you work regularly you are probably in some cases more successful than people who work to their utmost or than people who are relaxed.










share|improve this question









New contributor




mohammad is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.











I am looking for an American proverb which connotes that average is better than maximum or minimum. For instance, if you work regularly you are probably in some cases more successful than people who work to their utmost or than people who are relaxed.







proverbs proverb-requests






share|improve this question









New contributor




mohammad is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.











share|improve this question









New contributor




mohammad is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.









share|improve this question




share|improve this question








edited Dec 2 at 1:42









Law29

1,6801514




1,6801514






New contributor




mohammad is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.









asked Dec 1 at 18:58









mohammad

132




132




New contributor




mohammad is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.





New contributor





mohammad is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.






mohammad is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.












  • Good luck with that. Americans are notorious for a "win at all costs" and "second place is just the best loser" attitude.
    – DJClayworth
    Dec 2 at 3:56










  • Does it need to be an American proverb, or can it be any English-language proverb?
    – Mark Beadles
    Dec 2 at 19:02


















  • Good luck with that. Americans are notorious for a "win at all costs" and "second place is just the best loser" attitude.
    – DJClayworth
    Dec 2 at 3:56










  • Does it need to be an American proverb, or can it be any English-language proverb?
    – Mark Beadles
    Dec 2 at 19:02
















Good luck with that. Americans are notorious for a "win at all costs" and "second place is just the best loser" attitude.
– DJClayworth
Dec 2 at 3:56




Good luck with that. Americans are notorious for a "win at all costs" and "second place is just the best loser" attitude.
– DJClayworth
Dec 2 at 3:56












Does it need to be an American proverb, or can it be any English-language proverb?
– Mark Beadles
Dec 2 at 19:02




Does it need to be an American proverb, or can it be any English-language proverb?
– Mark Beadles
Dec 2 at 19:02










5 Answers
5






active

oldest

votes

















up vote
5
down vote



accepted










The closest common expression I can think of would be "slow and steady wins the race".



It does not however have the minimum-average-maximum connotation that you are looking for; it means that an effort that is sustained and not excessive will do better in the long run compared to an effort that is higher but erratic.



EDIT: another expression is "Moderation in all things", translated from the Latin "Est modus in rebus". Kudos due to @LPH from French.SE -- but I see Scott already came up with it.






share|improve this answer






























    up vote
    2
    down vote













    Avoiding extremes is often referred to as "striking a Happy Medium". The implication is that you are finding the most appropriate midpoint between two undesirable opposing poles.



    In your example, you might say: Working a 40 hour week allows me to strike a happy medium between laziness and overwork.






    share|improve this answer





















    • In French I have often heard "Tout extrême nuit" (all extremes are harmful), but not only can I not think of an English equivalent, I can't even find the saying referenced on Google. Heading over to French.SE...
      – Law29
      Dec 2 at 10:40


















    up vote
    1
    down vote













    All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.



    Of course this doesn't say that there's anything wrong
    with all play and no work.    :-)



    Pushing the envelope a little, we could mention
    Neither a borrower nor a lender be,
    which implicitly encourages a course of action
    between the two stated options.



    Cambridge English Dictionary says that moderation in all things
    is "said to advise someone that it is best
    not to have or do too much or too little of anything".






    share|improve this answer





















    • +1 for "moderation in all things"!
      – Law29
      Dec 2 at 22:33


















    up vote
    0
    down vote













    To "keep one's head down" is an expression that addresses many implicit values in not being noticed, not standing out, and not possessing any trait that makes one exceptional or considerable. This 'blending in' is typical with the mean/average statistical body.



    The 'betterness' is thus regarding 'better at avoiding the complexity of life that comes with being targeted [for anything]'.






    share|improve this answer




























      up vote
      0
      down vote













      There is one that I think fits, but because it mostly used in shortened version is not popular.



      A jack of all trades is a master of none, but oftentimes better than a master of one.




      Formerly intended as a compliment, the phrase means that a person is a generalist rather than a specialist, versatile and adept at many things.




      Which is commonly shorted (in the US anyway) to "A jack of all trades is a master of none". The implication of shortered version being that you must be at the maximum level of your profession (or specifically one particular part of your profession) rather than average at a broader subject.






      share|improve this answer





















        Your Answer








        StackExchange.ready(function() {
        var channelOptions = {
        tags: "".split(" "),
        id: "97"
        };
        initTagRenderer("".split(" "), "".split(" "), channelOptions);

        StackExchange.using("externalEditor", function() {
        // Have to fire editor after snippets, if snippets enabled
        if (StackExchange.settings.snippets.snippetsEnabled) {
        StackExchange.using("snippets", function() {
        createEditor();
        });
        }
        else {
        createEditor();
        }
        });

        function createEditor() {
        StackExchange.prepareEditor({
        heartbeatType: 'answer',
        convertImagesToLinks: false,
        noModals: true,
        showLowRepImageUploadWarning: true,
        reputationToPostImages: null,
        bindNavPrevention: true,
        postfix: "",
        imageUploader: {
        brandingHtml: "Powered by u003ca class="icon-imgur-white" href="https://imgur.com/"u003eu003c/au003e",
        contentPolicyHtml: "User contributions licensed under u003ca href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/"u003ecc by-sa 3.0 with attribution requiredu003c/au003e u003ca href="https://stackoverflow.com/legal/content-policy"u003e(content policy)u003c/au003e",
        allowUrls: true
        },
        noCode: true, onDemand: true,
        discardSelector: ".discard-answer"
        ,immediatelyShowMarkdownHelp:true
        });


        }
        });






        mohammad is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.










        draft saved

        draft discarded


















        StackExchange.ready(
        function () {
        StackExchange.openid.initPostLogin('.new-post-login', 'https%3a%2f%2fenglish.stackexchange.com%2fquestions%2f475253%2fhelp-me-to-find-a-proverb-about-average-being-better%23new-answer', 'question_page');
        }
        );

        Post as a guest















        Required, but never shown

























        5 Answers
        5






        active

        oldest

        votes








        5 Answers
        5






        active

        oldest

        votes









        active

        oldest

        votes






        active

        oldest

        votes








        up vote
        5
        down vote



        accepted










        The closest common expression I can think of would be "slow and steady wins the race".



        It does not however have the minimum-average-maximum connotation that you are looking for; it means that an effort that is sustained and not excessive will do better in the long run compared to an effort that is higher but erratic.



        EDIT: another expression is "Moderation in all things", translated from the Latin "Est modus in rebus". Kudos due to @LPH from French.SE -- but I see Scott already came up with it.






        share|improve this answer



























          up vote
          5
          down vote



          accepted










          The closest common expression I can think of would be "slow and steady wins the race".



          It does not however have the minimum-average-maximum connotation that you are looking for; it means that an effort that is sustained and not excessive will do better in the long run compared to an effort that is higher but erratic.



          EDIT: another expression is "Moderation in all things", translated from the Latin "Est modus in rebus". Kudos due to @LPH from French.SE -- but I see Scott already came up with it.






          share|improve this answer

























            up vote
            5
            down vote



            accepted







            up vote
            5
            down vote



            accepted






            The closest common expression I can think of would be "slow and steady wins the race".



            It does not however have the minimum-average-maximum connotation that you are looking for; it means that an effort that is sustained and not excessive will do better in the long run compared to an effort that is higher but erratic.



            EDIT: another expression is "Moderation in all things", translated from the Latin "Est modus in rebus". Kudos due to @LPH from French.SE -- but I see Scott already came up with it.






            share|improve this answer














            The closest common expression I can think of would be "slow and steady wins the race".



            It does not however have the minimum-average-maximum connotation that you are looking for; it means that an effort that is sustained and not excessive will do better in the long run compared to an effort that is higher but erratic.



            EDIT: another expression is "Moderation in all things", translated from the Latin "Est modus in rebus". Kudos due to @LPH from French.SE -- but I see Scott already came up with it.







            share|improve this answer














            share|improve this answer



            share|improve this answer








            edited Dec 2 at 22:30

























            answered Dec 2 at 1:00









            Law29

            1,6801514




            1,6801514
























                up vote
                2
                down vote













                Avoiding extremes is often referred to as "striking a Happy Medium". The implication is that you are finding the most appropriate midpoint between two undesirable opposing poles.



                In your example, you might say: Working a 40 hour week allows me to strike a happy medium between laziness and overwork.






                share|improve this answer





















                • In French I have often heard "Tout extrême nuit" (all extremes are harmful), but not only can I not think of an English equivalent, I can't even find the saying referenced on Google. Heading over to French.SE...
                  – Law29
                  Dec 2 at 10:40















                up vote
                2
                down vote













                Avoiding extremes is often referred to as "striking a Happy Medium". The implication is that you are finding the most appropriate midpoint between two undesirable opposing poles.



                In your example, you might say: Working a 40 hour week allows me to strike a happy medium between laziness and overwork.






                share|improve this answer





















                • In French I have often heard "Tout extrême nuit" (all extremes are harmful), but not only can I not think of an English equivalent, I can't even find the saying referenced on Google. Heading over to French.SE...
                  – Law29
                  Dec 2 at 10:40













                up vote
                2
                down vote










                up vote
                2
                down vote









                Avoiding extremes is often referred to as "striking a Happy Medium". The implication is that you are finding the most appropriate midpoint between two undesirable opposing poles.



                In your example, you might say: Working a 40 hour week allows me to strike a happy medium between laziness and overwork.






                share|improve this answer












                Avoiding extremes is often referred to as "striking a Happy Medium". The implication is that you are finding the most appropriate midpoint between two undesirable opposing poles.



                In your example, you might say: Working a 40 hour week allows me to strike a happy medium between laziness and overwork.







                share|improve this answer












                share|improve this answer



                share|improve this answer










                answered Dec 2 at 6:05









                Allen R. Brady

                51724




                51724












                • In French I have often heard "Tout extrême nuit" (all extremes are harmful), but not only can I not think of an English equivalent, I can't even find the saying referenced on Google. Heading over to French.SE...
                  – Law29
                  Dec 2 at 10:40


















                • In French I have often heard "Tout extrême nuit" (all extremes are harmful), but not only can I not think of an English equivalent, I can't even find the saying referenced on Google. Heading over to French.SE...
                  – Law29
                  Dec 2 at 10:40
















                In French I have often heard "Tout extrême nuit" (all extremes are harmful), but not only can I not think of an English equivalent, I can't even find the saying referenced on Google. Heading over to French.SE...
                – Law29
                Dec 2 at 10:40




                In French I have often heard "Tout extrême nuit" (all extremes are harmful), but not only can I not think of an English equivalent, I can't even find the saying referenced on Google. Heading over to French.SE...
                – Law29
                Dec 2 at 10:40










                up vote
                1
                down vote













                All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.



                Of course this doesn't say that there's anything wrong
                with all play and no work.    :-)



                Pushing the envelope a little, we could mention
                Neither a borrower nor a lender be,
                which implicitly encourages a course of action
                between the two stated options.



                Cambridge English Dictionary says that moderation in all things
                is "said to advise someone that it is best
                not to have or do too much or too little of anything".






                share|improve this answer





















                • +1 for "moderation in all things"!
                  – Law29
                  Dec 2 at 22:33















                up vote
                1
                down vote













                All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.



                Of course this doesn't say that there's anything wrong
                with all play and no work.    :-)



                Pushing the envelope a little, we could mention
                Neither a borrower nor a lender be,
                which implicitly encourages a course of action
                between the two stated options.



                Cambridge English Dictionary says that moderation in all things
                is "said to advise someone that it is best
                not to have or do too much or too little of anything".






                share|improve this answer





















                • +1 for "moderation in all things"!
                  – Law29
                  Dec 2 at 22:33













                up vote
                1
                down vote










                up vote
                1
                down vote









                All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.



                Of course this doesn't say that there's anything wrong
                with all play and no work.    :-)



                Pushing the envelope a little, we could mention
                Neither a borrower nor a lender be,
                which implicitly encourages a course of action
                between the two stated options.



                Cambridge English Dictionary says that moderation in all things
                is "said to advise someone that it is best
                not to have or do too much or too little of anything".






                share|improve this answer












                All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.



                Of course this doesn't say that there's anything wrong
                with all play and no work.    :-)



                Pushing the envelope a little, we could mention
                Neither a borrower nor a lender be,
                which implicitly encourages a course of action
                between the two stated options.



                Cambridge English Dictionary says that moderation in all things
                is "said to advise someone that it is best
                not to have or do too much or too little of anything".







                share|improve this answer












                share|improve this answer



                share|improve this answer










                answered Dec 2 at 2:28









                Scott

                6,56782849




                6,56782849












                • +1 for "moderation in all things"!
                  – Law29
                  Dec 2 at 22:33


















                • +1 for "moderation in all things"!
                  – Law29
                  Dec 2 at 22:33
















                +1 for "moderation in all things"!
                – Law29
                Dec 2 at 22:33




                +1 for "moderation in all things"!
                – Law29
                Dec 2 at 22:33










                up vote
                0
                down vote













                To "keep one's head down" is an expression that addresses many implicit values in not being noticed, not standing out, and not possessing any trait that makes one exceptional or considerable. This 'blending in' is typical with the mean/average statistical body.



                The 'betterness' is thus regarding 'better at avoiding the complexity of life that comes with being targeted [for anything]'.






                share|improve this answer

























                  up vote
                  0
                  down vote













                  To "keep one's head down" is an expression that addresses many implicit values in not being noticed, not standing out, and not possessing any trait that makes one exceptional or considerable. This 'blending in' is typical with the mean/average statistical body.



                  The 'betterness' is thus regarding 'better at avoiding the complexity of life that comes with being targeted [for anything]'.






                  share|improve this answer























                    up vote
                    0
                    down vote










                    up vote
                    0
                    down vote









                    To "keep one's head down" is an expression that addresses many implicit values in not being noticed, not standing out, and not possessing any trait that makes one exceptional or considerable. This 'blending in' is typical with the mean/average statistical body.



                    The 'betterness' is thus regarding 'better at avoiding the complexity of life that comes with being targeted [for anything]'.






                    share|improve this answer












                    To "keep one's head down" is an expression that addresses many implicit values in not being noticed, not standing out, and not possessing any trait that makes one exceptional or considerable. This 'blending in' is typical with the mean/average statistical body.



                    The 'betterness' is thus regarding 'better at avoiding the complexity of life that comes with being targeted [for anything]'.







                    share|improve this answer












                    share|improve this answer



                    share|improve this answer










                    answered Dec 2 at 4:01









                    New Alexandria

                    3,30811635




                    3,30811635






















                        up vote
                        0
                        down vote













                        There is one that I think fits, but because it mostly used in shortened version is not popular.



                        A jack of all trades is a master of none, but oftentimes better than a master of one.




                        Formerly intended as a compliment, the phrase means that a person is a generalist rather than a specialist, versatile and adept at many things.




                        Which is commonly shorted (in the US anyway) to "A jack of all trades is a master of none". The implication of shortered version being that you must be at the maximum level of your profession (or specifically one particular part of your profession) rather than average at a broader subject.






                        share|improve this answer

























                          up vote
                          0
                          down vote













                          There is one that I think fits, but because it mostly used in shortened version is not popular.



                          A jack of all trades is a master of none, but oftentimes better than a master of one.




                          Formerly intended as a compliment, the phrase means that a person is a generalist rather than a specialist, versatile and adept at many things.




                          Which is commonly shorted (in the US anyway) to "A jack of all trades is a master of none". The implication of shortered version being that you must be at the maximum level of your profession (or specifically one particular part of your profession) rather than average at a broader subject.






                          share|improve this answer























                            up vote
                            0
                            down vote










                            up vote
                            0
                            down vote









                            There is one that I think fits, but because it mostly used in shortened version is not popular.



                            A jack of all trades is a master of none, but oftentimes better than a master of one.




                            Formerly intended as a compliment, the phrase means that a person is a generalist rather than a specialist, versatile and adept at many things.




                            Which is commonly shorted (in the US anyway) to "A jack of all trades is a master of none". The implication of shortered version being that you must be at the maximum level of your profession (or specifically one particular part of your profession) rather than average at a broader subject.






                            share|improve this answer












                            There is one that I think fits, but because it mostly used in shortened version is not popular.



                            A jack of all trades is a master of none, but oftentimes better than a master of one.




                            Formerly intended as a compliment, the phrase means that a person is a generalist rather than a specialist, versatile and adept at many things.




                            Which is commonly shorted (in the US anyway) to "A jack of all trades is a master of none". The implication of shortered version being that you must be at the maximum level of your profession (or specifically one particular part of your profession) rather than average at a broader subject.







                            share|improve this answer












                            share|improve this answer



                            share|improve this answer










                            answered 2 days ago









                            Skooba

                            3,34152134




                            3,34152134






















                                mohammad is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.










                                draft saved

                                draft discarded


















                                mohammad is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.













                                mohammad is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.












                                mohammad is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
















                                Thanks for contributing an answer to English Language & Usage Stack Exchange!


                                • Please be sure to answer the question. Provide details and share your research!

                                But avoid



                                • Asking for help, clarification, or responding to other answers.

                                • Making statements based on opinion; back them up with references or personal experience.


                                To learn more, see our tips on writing great answers.





                                Some of your past answers have not been well-received, and you're in danger of being blocked from answering.


                                Please pay close attention to the following guidance:


                                • Please be sure to answer the question. Provide details and share your research!

                                But avoid



                                • Asking for help, clarification, or responding to other answers.

                                • Making statements based on opinion; back them up with references or personal experience.


                                To learn more, see our tips on writing great answers.




                                draft saved


                                draft discarded














                                StackExchange.ready(
                                function () {
                                StackExchange.openid.initPostLogin('.new-post-login', 'https%3a%2f%2fenglish.stackexchange.com%2fquestions%2f475253%2fhelp-me-to-find-a-proverb-about-average-being-better%23new-answer', 'question_page');
                                }
                                );

                                Post as a guest















                                Required, but never shown





















































                                Required, but never shown














                                Required, but never shown












                                Required, but never shown







                                Required, but never shown

































                                Required, but never shown














                                Required, but never shown












                                Required, but never shown







                                Required, but never shown







                                Popular posts from this blog

                                Morgemoulin

                                Scott Moir

                                Souastre