In politics and religion, a moderate is an individual who is not extreme, partisan or radical. In recent years, "political moderates" has gained traction as a buzzword.
The existence of the ideal moderate is disputed because of a lack of a moderate political ideology. Many people claim to be moderate because of a lack of adherence with the more radical sides of the political or religious spectrum, rather than advocating a specific stance.
Aristotle favoured conciliatory politics dominated by the centre rather than the extremes of great wealth and poverty or the special interests of oligarchs and tyrants.
Read more about Moderate: As A Political Position
Famous quotes containing the word moderate:
“Absence cools moderate passions, and inflames violent ones; just as the wind blows out candles, but kindles fires.”
—François, Duc De La Rochefoucauld (1613–1680)
“I wish you would moderate that fondness you have for your children. I do not mean you should abate any part of your care, or not do your duty to them in its utmost extent, but I would have you early prepare yourself for disappointments, which are heavy in proportion to their being surprising.”
—Mary Wortley, Lady Montagu (1689–1762)
“It is not every man who can be a Christian, even in a very moderate sense, whatever education you give him. It is a matter of constitution and temperament, after all. He may have to be born again many times. I have known many a man who pretended to be a Christian, in whom it was ridiculous, for he had no genius for it. It is not every man who can be a free man, even.”
—Henry David Thoreau (1817–1862)