There Is Nothing Wrong With Sobriety In Moderation

Creator: John Ciardi, U.S. poet, translator, and critic

Context: For many years Ciardi was an editor and columnist at “The Saturday Review”. He crafted several adages for the piece he published on September 24, 1966. Here is a sampling with emphasis added:^[1] 1966 September 24, The Saturday Review, Manner of Speaking by John Ciardi, Start Page 16, Quote Page 16 and 20, Saturday Review Inc., New York. (Unz)

What we need most to know about public servants is the identity of their masters.

There is nothing wrong with sobriety in moderation.

Gentility is what is left over from rich ancestors after the money is gone.

The statement about sobriety was a comical twist on the guidance suggesting drinking in moderation.

Acknowledgement: Thanks to Mardy Grothe who requested a citation for this quotation.