Aristotle Nicomachean Ethics Quote: “Virtue is the state of character which makes a man good and enables him to perform his function well.”​

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Aristotle Nicomachean Ethics Quote: “Virtue is the state of character which makes a man good and enables him to perform his function well.”​

“Virtue is the state of character which makes a man good and enables him to perform his function well.”​— Aristotle, Nicomachean Ethics, Book I, Chapter 13 Explanation:Aristotle defines virtue (aretē) as the ​optimized condition of human character — a calibrated alignment of reason, emotion, and action that allows individuals to fulfill their ​unique purpose (ergon). … Read more

Aristotle Nicomachean Ethics Quote: “Happiness is a thing reverenced and perfect; it is the starting-point and cause of all good.”​

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Aristotle Nicomachean Ethics Quote: “Happiness is a thing reverenced and perfect; it is the starting-point and cause of all good.”​

“Happiness is a thing reverenced and perfect; it is the starting-point and cause of all good.”​— Aristotle, Nicomachean Ethics, Book I, Chapter 12 Explanation:Aristotle elevates eudaimonia (true happiness) as the ​ethical sun — a sacred, self-sufficient force that illuminates and nourishes all other virtues. Just as sunlight enables ecosystems to thrive, happiness radiates ​moral energy … Read more

Aristotle Nicomachean Ethics Quote: “The dead are affected by the fortunes of their descendants, but not in a way to change their happiness.”​

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Aristotle Nicomachean Ethics Quote: “The dead are affected by the fortunes of their descendants, but not in a way to change their happiness.”​

“The dead are affected by the fortunes of their descendants, but not in a way to change their happiness.”​— Aristotle, Nicomachean Ethics, Book I, Chapter 11 Explanation:Aristotle proposes a nuanced view: while the deceased retain a ​symbolic connection to living kin’s successes or failures, their eudaimonia (flourishing) — cemented by ​lifetime virtue — remains ​untouchable … Read more

Aristotle Nicomachean Ethics Quote: “The happy man cannot become miserable, though he may not reach supreme blessedness if he meets with Priam’s fate.”​

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Aristotle Nicomachean Ethics Quote: “The happy man cannot become miserable, though he may not reach supreme blessedness if he meets with Priam’s fate.”​

“The happy man cannot become miserable, though he may not reach supreme blessedness if he meets with Priam’s fate.”​— Aristotle, Nicomachean Ethics, Book I, Chapter 10 Explanation:Aristotle distinguishes between ​core happiness (eudaimonia) and ​peak blessedness. While a virtuous person’s fundamental joy remains unbroken by adversity (like Priam’s Trojan War losses), catastrophic suffering may limit access … Read more

Aristotle Nicomachean Ethics Quote: “Happiness is a permanent condition; for the happy man will always or at least most frequently act and contemplate virtuously.”​

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Aristotle Nicomachean Ethics Quote: “Happiness is a permanent condition; for the happy man will always or at least most frequently act and contemplate virtuously.”​

“Happiness is a permanent condition; for the happy man will always or at least most frequently act and contemplate virtuously.”​— Aristotle, Nicomachean Ethics, Book I, Chapter 10 Explanation:Aristotle posits that true happiness (eudaimonia) is not a fleeting emotion, but a ​stable state of being forged through ​habitual virtue. Like a river’s persistent flow shaping a … Read more

Aristotle Nicomachean Ethics Quote: “No one calls a man happy who meets with misfortunes like Priam’s.”​

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Aristotle Nicomachean Ethics Quote: “No one calls a man happy who meets with misfortunes like Priam’s.”​

“No one calls a man happy who meets with misfortunes like Priam’s.”​— Aristotle, Nicomachean Ethics, Book I, Chapter 9 Simple Explanation:Aristotle argues that extreme adversity (like Priam’s loss of kingdom and children in the Trojan War) can eclipse ​lifelong happiness — even for the virtuous. True eudaimonia requires both ​resilient virtue and ​external stability, akin … Read more

Aristotle Nicomachean Ethics Quote: “Happiness seems to require this sort of prosperity; and hence some identify it with good fortune.”​

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Aristotle Nicomachean Ethics Quote: “Happiness seems to require this sort of prosperity; and hence some identify it with good fortune.”​

“Happiness seems to require this sort of prosperity; and hence some identify it with good fortune.”​— Aristotle, Nicomachean Ethics, Book I, Chapter 8 Simple Explanation:Aristotle clarifies that ​external conditions (wealth, health, social status) enable — but don’t define — happiness. While ​good fortune (luck) jumpstarts opportunities, true eudaimonia demands ​ethical alignment of prosperity with virtue. … Read more

Aristotle Nicomachean Ethics Quote: “The happy man will need external prosperity; for it is impossible to do noble deeds without proper equipment.”​

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Aristotle Nicomachean Ethics Quote: “The happy man will need external prosperity; for it is impossible to do noble deeds without proper equipment.”​

“The happy man will need external prosperity; for it is impossible to do noble deeds without proper equipment.”​— Aristotle, Nicomachean Ethics, Book I, Chapter 8 Simple Explanation:Aristotle balances idealism with pragmatism: ​True happiness (eudaimonia) requires both ​inner virtue (courage, justice) and ​external resources (wealth, social networks). Like a sculptor needing marble to create art, ethical … Read more

Aristotle Nicomachean Ethics Quote: “Happiness is among the things we praise, but it is also something divine and blessed.”​

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Aristotle Nicomachean Ethics Quote: “Happiness is among the things we praise, but it is also something divine and blessed.”​

“Happiness is among the things we praise, but it is also something divine and blessed.”​— Aristotle, Nicomachean Ethics, Book I, Chapter 8 Simple Explanation:Aristotle reveals the dual nature of happiness (eudaimonia) — it’s both ​humanly admirable (earning praise through virtuous deeds) and ​transcendent (a sacred alignment with cosmic order). Like sunlight reflecting on water, happiness … Read more

Aristotle Nicomachean Ethics Quote: “The happy man lives well and does well; for we have practically defined happiness as a sort of good life and good action.”​

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Aristotle Nicomachean Ethics Quote: “The happy man lives well and does well; for we have practically defined happiness as a sort of good life and good action.”​

“The happy man lives well and does well; for we have practically defined happiness as a sort of good life and good action.”​— Aristotle, Nicomachean Ethics, Book I, Chapter 8 Simple Explanation:Aristotle defines ​true happiness (eudaimonia) as the ​dynamic union of being and doing — not just thinking virtuously, but ​embodying virtue daily. Like a … Read more