Moderation in all things

Researchers studying 52 of the most famous depictions of the Jesus’ Last Supper with his twelve disciples have discovered that over the past millennia artists supersized the meal portions. The main dish increased in size by almost two-thirds, individual portions by over a fifth, and plate size by more than half. Ample and increasing food supplies reflect increased prosperity, a prosperity visible in the growing height and waistlines of contemporary humans. (Chris Smyth, “Artists reflect the course of obesity with expanding portions in the Last Supper,” Times Online, March 24, 2010)

If humans learned that availability does not necessitate consumption, they would live better. Delayed gratification – postponing satisfaction to achieve greater future satisfaction – is tangential to this analysis. Closer to the mark is the Confucian principle of moderation in all things, a principle that Christians have sometimes voiced in terms of the cardinal virtue of temperance.

Both the Old Testament and New Testament are silent with respect to moderation. However, in the Apocrypha, the Wisdom of Ben Sirach (37:27-31) provides this exhortation about moderation:

My child, test yourself while you live; see what is bad for you and do not give in to it. For not everything is good for everyone, and no one enjoys everything. Do not be greedy for every delicacy, and do not eat without restraint; for overeating brings sickness, and gluttony leads to nausea. Many have died of gluttony, but the one who guards against it prolongs his life.

Excess abounds. The United States now has more people in prison, per capita, than any other nation. California, strapped for cash, has released some inmates early and forces other to live in excessively and potentially explosively cramped conditions, e.g., 150 male prisoners in a prison gym. (Randal C. Archibold, “California, in Financial Crisis, Opens Prison Doors,” New York Times, March 23, 2010)

New house sizes, at least until the recession of 2008 began, were consistently growing bigger: taller ceilings, more square feet, etc. Owning more than one TV per household resident and more than one vehicle per driver in the household have become prevalent.

Rather than selling, donating to charity, or continuing to use items until the items are no serviceable, Americans fill their houses, garages, and rented storage areas with items they no longer use, perhaps have even replaced. Though more chaotic and diversified than Imelda Marcos’ infamous shoe collections, Americans seem to have adopted her acquisitiveness as their ideal. More is better. Never get rid of anything – you might someday, if you remember you have it and can find it – have a use for it. This problem has become so widespread that it has spawned new industries that promise to organize and to de-clutter people’s lives.

More than ever before, stuff tends to own people. One beneficial consequence of Lenten fasting might be discovering the empowering freedom that the virtue of temperance can provide.