Folks always presume they know what the Romans had in mind when they coined the whole "moderation in all things" concept. And it's such profound reasoning, too...I'm sure the people known centuries later for vomiting in order to make room for more food were all over the concept of moderation.
No, I think rather than using the expression as a means to make those of us with vice(s) feel guilty about them, the Romans take on it had much more to do with the "all things" side of the equation rather than the conservative and no-fun "moderation" side. It's not "MODERATION...in all things." It's "Moderation...in ALL THINGS."
The more likely explanation is that we were being given permission to engage in every possible form of human activity. Russian roulette for ketamine? Hell yeah, but just a round or two! Cigarettes? You bet...let's keep it moderate and get ultra lights, though. Needle drugs? F*** yeah, let me tie off right now. MDMA mascara? Well...I don't normally wear mascara but I'll try anything once. Self-applied tracheotomy? Just a couple holes and I'd like to be able to cover them with a collar.
So there you go, pals - next time someone shoves that misguided, holier-than-thou nonsense in your face you are now equipped to win the ensuing argument by a landslide that'll be visible from outer space. Also I think that last sentence rhymed.
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