Aristotle Quotes

Some vices miss what is right because they are deficient, others because they are excessive, in feelings or in actions, while virtue finds and chooses the mean.

Most virtue lies between two vices.

Temperance and bravery, then, are ruined by excess and deficiency, but preserved by the mean.

Moral qualities are so constituted as to be destroyed by excess and by deficiency . . .

One must choose in all things a mean just and good.

Virtue lies half way between two opposite vices.

Moral virtue is ... a mean between two vices, that of excess and that of defect, and ... it is no small task to hit the mean in each case, as it is not, for example, any chance comer, but only the geometer, who can find the center of a given circle.

Virtue lies in the middle ground.

It is the function of vice to keep virtue within reasonable bounds.

Temperance is reason's girdle and passion's bridle, the strength of the soul and the foundation of virtue.

There is no golden mean between these two extremes; either this early life must become low in our estimation, or it will have our inordinate love.

This much then, is clear: in all our conduct it is the mean that is to be commended.

Moderation, the Golden Mean, the Aristonmetron, is the secret of wisdom and of happiness. But it does not mean embracing an unadventurous mediocrity; rather it is an elaborate balancing act, a feat of intellectual skill demanding constant vigilance. Its aim is a reconciliation of opposites.

There should be balance in all our actions; to be either extreme or lukewarm is equally bad.

The vices respectively fall short of or exceed what is right in both passions and actions, while virtue both finds and chooses that which is intermediate.

In avoiding one vice fools rush into the opposite extreme.

However great an evil immorality may be, we must not forget that it is not without its beneficial consequences. It is only through extremes that men can arrive at the middle path of wisdom and virtue.

Virtue is defined to be mediocrity, of which either extreme is vice.

The better one is morally the less aware they are of their virtue.

Modesty is not only an ornament, but also a guard to virtue.

Perfection of moral virtue does not wholly take away the passions, but regulates them.

You will go most safely in the middle.

Keep to the middle if you wish to keep moderation. The mid way is the safe way. Moderation abides in the mean, and moderation is virtue. Every abiding place outside the bounds of moderation is only exile to the wise man.

The amiable is a duty most certainly, but must not be exercised at the expense of any of the virtues. He who seeks to do the amiable always, can only be successful at the frequent expense of his manhood.

So many things--nay every real thing--is good if only it will be humble and ordinate.