“My son, I caution you to keep
The middle way, for if your pinions dip
Too low the waters may impede your flight;
And if they soar too high the sun may scorch them.
Fly midway.”

—  Ovid , Metamorphoses

Book VIII, lines 203–206; translation by Brooks More
Metamorphoses (Transformations)

Original

Insruit et natum: Medioque ut limite curras, Icare, ait, moneo. Ne, si demissior ibis, Unda gravet pennas; si celsior, ignis adurat. Inter utrumque vola.

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Ovid 120
Roman poet -43–17 BC

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