Consistently working on our character.
"How are they to be healed? We tell the wrathful man to train himself to feel no reaction even if he is beaten or cursed. He should follow this course of behavior for a long time, until the anger is uprooted from his heart.
The man who is full of pride should cause himself to experience much disgrace. He should sit in the lowliest of places, dress in tattered rags which shame the wearer, and the like, until the arrogance is uprooted from his heart and he returns to the middle path, which is the proper path. When he returns to this middle path, he should walk in it the rest of his life.
One should take a similar course with each of the other traits. A person who swayed in the direction of one of the extremes should move in the direction of the opposite extreme, and accustom himself to that for a long time, until he has returned to the proper path, which is the midpoint for each and every temperament."
- Maimonides, Hilchot Deot 2:2
Maimonides, in Hilchot Deot 2:2, advocates for a method of character improvement that involves moving to the opposite extreme of a behavioral tendency. This idea is part of his broader ethical framework, where he emphasizes the importance of achieving a balanced character, known as the “Golden Mean.” According to Maimonides, when a person exhibits an undesirable trait, such as excessive anger or pride, the most effective way to correct it is by practicing the opposite behavior until the extreme trait is mitigated. By consciously adopting the extreme counter-behavior, an individual can recalibrate and eventually find the balanced middle path, which is the ideal state of character.
This approach bears a resemblance to a principle in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), a modern psychotherapeutic method developed by Marsha M. Linehan. DBT employs a technique called “Opposite Action,” where individuals are encouraged to engage in behaviors that are opposite to their current emotional urges to help regulate intense emotions. For instance, if someone feels an urge to withdraw due to sadness, they might be encouraged to engage in social activities instead. Both Maimonides’ and DBT’s methods recognize that moving toward the opposite extreme can help recalibrate one’s behaviors and emotions, ultimately leading to a more balanced and healthier state of being. This shared principle underscores the enduring relevance of ancient ethical teachings in contemporary psychological practices.
Here are the main categories of character that Maimonides discusses. While there are many traits to consider, it is best to focus on one or two at a time. Click on a trait below to learn more about it and discover where you fit along the continuum. Then, you can learn more about how to work towards the other extreme, with ideas available on this website.
