“Extremism in pursuit of moderation is not necessarily a virtue.”

We can only hope to be delivered from the immoderate influence of free from convictions moderates.

As it is written:

"I know thy works, that they are neither cold nor hot; I would that ye wert cold or hot."
~Revelation 3:15

Patrick Henry, I smile - your "As it is written" was my first thought. The proverbial "moderation in all things" (a lots of room for interpretation euphemism) can dull the senses - such as extreme moderation being used as a compromise; the result, a little immorality here, a little socialism there and wallah / poof, freedom, liberty and inalienable rights are gone.

Mike,

It is also written:

"...a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump."

~Galatians 5:9

"Extremism in pursuit of moderation" is not moderation either. The natural law cannot be broken -- it may appear to bend but it bends back. Extremism is relative to how far it appears to bend, but the forces of nature reckon a balance. If already off balance and returning to center, the transition could seem extreme while actually just returning to center. Both circular and linear -- a spring. It can be compressed or expanded, but always pushing to return to its 'normal' form. The pursuit of moderation is that you let a spring just sit there unused. ;-) Extremism in that regard is to spend energy to keep from spending energy... like rioting for peace, or beating up Trump supporters by pacifists.