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Why did the Buddha reject both self-indulgence and extreme self-denial?

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Marble bust of Pythagoras, the ancient Greek mathematician and philosopher, showing a bearded man with a head covering and calm expression. — History of ethics Greek philosopher and mathematician Pythagoras, portrait bust.

The Buddha rejected both self-indulgence and extreme self-denial because he concluded that both extremes were spiritually useless in the search for enlightenment.1

According to Buddhist tradition, Siddhartha Gautama initially lived a life of luxury as a prince but later pursued severe asceticism to understand the origins of suffering. He maintained such austerity that he nearly died of starvation, ultimately realizing that neither extreme—sensual indulgence nor self-mortification—could lead to the truth.21

To facilitate enlightenment, he advocated for the Middle Way, a path of moderation that avoids these two extremes. This approach is formalized in the Eightfold Path, which provides a balanced framework of ethical practices, meditation, and wisdom to achieve nibbana and liberation from suffering.321