Rather Tiferes is a compound composed of both Chesed and Gevurah , yet having a new and distinct identity. Sugar mixed with flour becomes a substance in which every bit of the mixture has an equal amount of each ingredient. However, each grain of sugar and each grain of flour remains distinct, and neither has undergone any change in character. A compound, on the other hand, is something like table salt, which is composed of two ingredients, sodium and chlorine. Sodium is a volatile metal, which bursts into flame when in contact with water, not something which one would put into one's food.
Chlorine is a green, corrosive gas, which causes a severe choking sensation.
When the two get together, they form sodium chloride, an indispensable addition that enhances the taste of food. A person should endeavor to follow the median way. On one hand he must not be too haughty, lauding himself for his Torah and good deeds. Both extremes are obstacles in the path to Teshuva . One should adopt the median path.