46. Wisdom vs. Piety
Deios 1:4
The straight path is the midpoint of each character trait that a person possesses. It should be equidistant from the two extremes, not too close to either of them. Therefore, the Sages said that a person must evaluate his traits in order to evaluate them and redirect them towards the middle path. For example, one should not be easily angered, nor should he be stoic without feeling. Rather, he should strive for moderation, only showing anger when some situation actually warrants it, in order to keep that situation from recurring. Similarly, one should not desire anything beyond that which one’s body needs to survive. As Proverbs 13:25 says, “A righteous person eats to satisfy his soul.”
Along these lines, a person should not work his business excessively; he should only work to earn what he needs for immediate use as per Psalms 37:16, “A little is sufficient for a righteous person.” One should not be too stingy, nor should he throw his money about. Rather, one should give charity according to his ability and lend to the needy as is appropriate. One should not be too giddy, nor should one be too negative and gloomy. Rather, one should be quietly happy at all times, with a friendly face. This moderate approach applies to all character traits. This is called the path of the wise. Anyone whose traits are moderate and well-centered along the spectrum may be considered a wise person.
Deios 1:5
If a person carefully evaluates his traits and thereby deviates slightly from the midpoint to the other side, he is considered pious. For example, if a person shuns egotism and moves towards the other extreme, acting humbly, he is considered pious. But if one shuns egotism only to the extent that he reaches the midpoint, he is considered wise. This is also true with all the other character traits.
The pious people of earlier generations would move their natures from the middle path more towards one of the extremes. For some traits they would aim for the final extreme, for others, the first extreme. This is considered acting beyond the letter of the law. We are commanded to follow the paths of moderation as per Deuteronomy 28:9, “You shall walk in His ways.”