The Nicomachean Ethics
by Aristotle
"The Nicomachean Ethics" by Aristotle explores the nature of ethical virtue and the path to a good life. Aristotle argues that happiness (eudaimonia) is achieved through the practice of virtue, which is a mean between excess and deficiency. The work emphasizes the importance of moral character, practical wisdom, and the role of community in achieving ethical living.
10 curated highlights from this book
Key Insights & Memorable Quotes
Below are the most impactful passages and quotes from The Nicomachean Ethics, carefully selected to capture the essence of the book.
The good for man is an activity of the soul in accordance with virtue.
It is the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it.
Happiness is the meaning and the purpose of life, the whole aim and end of human existence.
The more we learn, the more we realize we do not know.
Knowing yourself is the beginning of all wisdom.
We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit.
The ultimate value of life depends upon awareness and the power of contemplation rather than upon mere survival.
The greatest virtues are those which are most useful to other persons.
It is not enough to win a war; it is more important to organize the peace.
The aim of art is to represent not the outward appearance of things, but their inward significance.