"Men seem to pursue honour in order that they may believe themselves to be good. Accordingly, they seek to be honoured by the wise, and by those who know them well, and on the score of virtue; it is clear, therefore, that in their opinion at any rate, virtue is superior to honour. Perhaps, then, one ought to say that virtue rather than honour is the end of the political life; yet even virtue is plainly too imperfect: for it seems that a man might have all the virtues and yet be asleep, or fail to achieve anything all his life; moreover, such a person may suffer the greatest evils and misfortunes. And no one, in this case, would call a man, who passed his life in this manner, happy, except for argument's sake. (Bk. 1, Chapter III)"
Quote Details
Added by wikiquote-import-bot
Unverified quote
0 likes
Philosophers from GreecePolymathsNatural philosophersMathematicians from GreeceBiologists from Greece
Original Language: English
Available Languages (1)
Sources
Imported from EN Wikiquote
https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Aristotle
Revision History
No revisions have been submitted for this quote.
Categories
Aristotle
217 quotes on TrueQuotesView all quotes by Aristotle →
Related Quotes
"A tyrant must put on the appearance of uncommon devotion to religion. Subjects are less apprehensive of illegal treat…"
"In general, people are more easily swayed by fear than inspired by reverence."
"The generality of men are naturally apt to be swayed by fear rather than reverence, and to refrain from evil rather b…"
"There can be no doubt that children should be taught those useful things which are really necessary, but not all thin…"
"Quien pájaro ha de tomar, no ha de ojear."
"All men by nature desire to know; the proof of this is the pleasure caused by sensations, for even apart from the use…"
"סנונית אחת אינה מבשרת את בוא האביב"
"En svala gör ingen sommar."
"One swallow does not make a summer."
"The majority of mankind and people who lack refinement conceive it to be pleasure, and hence they approve a life of s…"