To enjoy the things we ought, and to hate the things we ought, has the greatest bearing on excellence of character.
—Aristotle
Topics: Character
Since the things we do determine the character of life, no blessed person can become unhappy. For he will never do those things which are hateful and petty.
—Aristotle
Topics: Unhappiness
The coward calls the brave man rash, the rash man calls him a coward.
—Aristotle
Topics: Coward, War, Brave
No man loves the man he fears.
—Aristotle
Topics: Fear
A great city is not to be confounded with a populous one.
—Aristotle
Topics: Cities, City Life
The beginning of reform is not so much to equalize property as to train the noble sort of natures not to desire more, and to prevent the lower from getting more.
—Aristotle
Topics: Equality
Even when the laws have been written down, they ought not always remain unchanged.
—Aristotle
Topics: Wisdom
If things do not turn out as we wish, we should wish for them as they turn out.
—Aristotle
Topics: Desires
Justice is to give to every man his own.
—Aristotle
Topics: Justice
Nature does nothing uselessly.
—Aristotle
Topics: Nature
Money is a guarantee that we may have what we want in the future. Though we need nothing at the moment it insures the possibility of satisfying a new desire when it arises.
—Aristotle
Topics: Children, Money
No state will be well administered unless the middle class holds sway.
—Aristotle
Topics: Class
Inferiors revolt in order that they be equal, and equals that they be superior.
—Aristotle
Topics: Equality
When several villages are united in a single complete community, large enough to be nearly or quite self-sufficing, the state comes into existence, originating in the bare needs of life, and continuing in existence for the sake of a good life.
—Aristotle
Ability is what you’re capable of doing. Motivation determines what you do. I count him braver who overcomes his desires than him who conquers his enemies; the hardest victory is over self.
—Aristotle
Topics: Discipline, Control, Victory, Self-Control, Self-Discovery, Desire, Courage, Winning, Bravery
Fear is pain arising from the anticipation of evil.
—Aristotle
Topics: Anxiety, One liners, Pain, Fear, Anticipation
Democracy arose from men’s thinking that if they are equal in any respect, they are equal absolutely.
—Aristotle
Topics: Freedom, Democracy
Without friends no one would choose to live, though he had all other goods.
—Aristotle
Topics: Friendship, Friends and Friendship
One must learn by doing the thing, for though you think you know it, you have no certainty until you try.
—Aristotle
Topics: Doing
Character is that which reveals moral purpose, exposing the class of things a man chooses or avoids.
—Aristotle
Topics: Class, Character
The beauty of the soul shines out when a man bears with composure one heavy mischance after another, not because he does not feel them, but because he is a man of high and heroic temper.
—Aristotle
Topics: Bravery, Acceptance, Courage, Beauty, Heroes
Beauty depends on size as well as symmetry. No very small animal can be beautiful, for looking at it takes so small a portion of time that the impression of it will be confused. Nor can any very large one, for a whole view of it cannot be had at once, and so there will be no unity and completeness.
—Aristotle
Topics: Beauty
One swallow does not make a spring, nor does one fine day.
—Aristotle
Topics: Spring, One liners
Honorable descent is, in all nations, greatly esteemed. It is to be expected that the children of men of worth will be like their progenitors; for nobility is the virtue of a family.
—Aristotle
Topics: Ancestry
All who have meditated on the art of governing mankind have been convinced that the fate of empires depends on the education of youth.
—Aristotle
Topics: Government, Education
The worst form of inequality is to try to make unequal things equal.
—Aristotle
Topics: Equality
Virtue is more clearly shown in the performance of fine actions than in the non-performance of base ones.
—Aristotle
Topics: Performance
The one exclusive sign of a thorough knowledge is the power of teaching.
—Aristotle
Topics: Teachers, Teaching, Education
The least initial deviation from the truth is multiplied later a thousandfold.
—Aristotle
Topics: Truth, Honesty
All men seek one goal: success or happiness. The only way to achieve true success is to express yourself completely in service to society. First, have a definite, clear, practical ideal-a goal, an objective. Second, have the necessary means to achieve your ends-wisdom, money, materials and methods. Third, adjust all your means to that end.
—Aristotle
Topics: Wisdom, Purpose, Aspirations, Ideal, Happiness, Goal, Creativity, Success, Vision, Goals
Wondering Whom to Read Next?
- Plato Ancient Greek Philosopher
- Xenocrates Greek Philosopher, Scientist
- Heraclitus Ancient Greek Philosopher
- Epictetus Ancient Greek Philosopher
- Epicurus Greek Philosopher
- Bias of Priene Greek Orator
- Plotinus Ancient Greek Philosopher, Mystic
- Charles Sanders Peirce American Philosopher
- Pythagoras Greek Philosopher
- Euripides Ancient Greek Dramatist
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