Aristotle Nicomachean Ethics Quote:“Choice is prior to action; virtue lies in choosing the mean as right reason directs.”​

“Choice is prior to action; virtue lies in choosing the mean as right reason directs.”​
— Aristotle, Nicomachean Ethics, Book III, Chapter 2
(Translated by W.D. Ross)

Big Idea

Virtue is your life’s GPS navigation 🗺️:

• Reckless Path = Ignore traffic alerts → Crash into extremes.
• Virtuous Route = Follow real-time reroutes → Arrive at flourishing.

---

​Real-Life Scenarios

💼 Workplace Dilemma

→ Extreme: Work 80hrs/week to impress → Burnout + divorce.
→ Golden Mean: 45hrs + family dinners → Promotion + happy kids.

🛒 Black Friday Chaos

→ Excess: Max credit card on 4K TV → Bankruptcy + shame.
→ Balanced: Buy needed laptop on sale → Career upgrade + savings.

📱 Social Media

→ Deficit: Delete all accounts → Miss job opportunities.
→ Excess: Post 20 selfies/day → Cringe reputation.
→ Virtue: Curate 3 thoughtful posts/week → Build authentic network.

---

​What You Can Do

1. ​The Navigation Calibration Test
   Before deciding, ask:
   • “Is this ​rash detour (impulse) or ​smart reroute (reason)?”
2. ​Virtue Dashboard
   Track weekly choices in a spreadsheet:
   → Column A: Extreme choices (e.g., binge-drinking)
   → Column B: Balanced choices (e.g., two beers + gym)
3. ​Golden Mean Alerts
   Set phone reminders:
   → “Check virtue GPS before Amazon checkout!”
   → “Is this Zoom meeting worth skipping dinner?”