ARISTOTLE QUOTES II
Greek philosopher (384 B.C. - 322 B.C.)
Men are good in but one way, but bad in many.
ARISTOTLE
Nicomachean Ethics
Nature does nothing uselessly.
ARISTOTLE
Politics
Every commonwealth being, as we have said, a partnership, it follows, that in every commonwealth men must be partners in some things or in all. Some things they must possess in common, since the community could not otherwise subsist.
ARISTOTLE
Politics
Generally, about all perception, we can say that a sense is what has the power of receiving into itself the sensible forms of things without the matter, in the way in which a piece of wax takes on the impress of a signet ring without the iron or gold.
ARISTOTLE
"On the Soul"
Equity is that idea of justice which contravenes the written law.
ARISTOTLE
Rhetoric
The light of the day is followed by night, as a shadow follows a body.
ARISTOTLE
attributed, Day's Collacon
Pleasure in the job puts perfection in the work.
ARISTOTLE
attributed, Wisdom for the Soul
Confidence is the mark of a hopeful disposition.
ARISTOTLE
Nicomachean Ethics
But if safety be their common concern, the good of the governors must correspond with the good of the governed, and the interest of the servant must coincide with the interest of the master.
ARISTOTLE
Politics
It is the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it.
ARISTOTLE
Metaphysics
If then it be possible that one contrary should exist, or be called into existence, the other contrary will also appear to be possible.
ARISTOTLE
Rhetoric
I call that law universal, which is conformable merely to dictates of nature; for there does exist naturally an universal sense of right and wrong, which, in a certain degree, all intuitively divine, even should no intercourse with each other, nor any compact have existed.
ARISTOTLE
Rhetoric
As for the story, whether the poet takes it ready made or constructs it for himself, he should first sketch its general outline, and then fill in the episodes and amplify in detail.
ARISTOTLE
Poetics
We become just by performing just actions, temperate by performing temperate actions, brave by performing brave actions.
ARISTOTLE
Nicomachean Ethics
He who takes his fill of every pleasure ... becomes depraved; while he who avoids all pleasures alike ... becomes insensible.
ARISTOTLE
Nicomachean Ethics
Hope is a waking dream.
ARISTOTLE
attributed, Lives of Eminent Philosophers
If women are by barbarians reduced to the level of slaves, it is because barbarians themselves have never yet risen to the rank of men.
ARISTOTLE
Politics
Where the interests of truth are at actual stake, we ought, perhaps, to sacrifice even that which is our own--if, at least, we are to lay any claim to a philosophic spirit.
ARISTOTLE
Nicomachean Ethics
The young have exalted notions, because they have not been humbled by life or learned its necessary limitations; moreover, their hopeful disposition makes them think themselves equal to great things--and that means having exalted notions. They would always rather do noble deeds than useful ones: Their lives are regulated more by moral feeling than by reasoning.... All their mistakes are in the direction of doing things excessively and vehemently. They overdo everything; they love too much, hate too much, and the same with everything else.
ARISTOTLE
Rhetoric
Purpose is a desire for something in our own power, coupled with an investigation into its means.
ARISTOTLE
Nicomachean Ethics