aurea mediocritas

Horace was wrong, mediocre poets may exist (now and then), and he was a wise man who first spoke of aurea mediocritas.

This is the aurea mediocritas, or modest competence, the excellence of which was recognized by the ancients.

"Aurea mediocritas," exclaimed my uncle, delighted with his quotation.

These noble words were said on the sill of the door, above which was written, "Aurea mediocritas."

This aurea mediocritas was but little satisfactory to Mme. de Marville.