Aristotle's Ethics (SparkNotes Literature Guide) (SparkNotes Literature Guide Series) - Softcover

Aristotle; SparkNotes

Softcover

ISBN 10: 158663822X ISBN 13: 9781586638221

Publisher: SparkNotes, 2003

Synopsis

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1893 edition. Excerpt: ...hold the course which he desires, sails the nearest to it possible; and of two evils prefers the least. We ought next to consider to which of the two extremes or faults we are most prone; for different men are more or less easily beset by different faults or vices, and what these are by which each is most liable to be entangled, he will best discover by attending to the pleasure which he has in indulging, or the pain in restraining them. In order to correct his character he must bend it in a contrary direction, as we straighten a crooked stick; but, above all, he must beware of the blandishments of pleasure, of which we are seldom impartial or uncorrupt judges: treating this fair enchantress, as the aged senators in Homer did the beautiful Helen, whose words on this occasion cannot be too often repeated, nor their example too strictly imitated:--"They cry'd, No wonder such celestial charms For nine long years have set the world in arms; What winning graces! what majestic mien! She moves a goddess, and she looks a queen! Yet hence, 0 Heaven! convey that fatal face, And from destruction save the Trojan race." By thus banishing pleasure, we shall be less liable to error. Such, briefly, are the precepts by which propriety of affection and action may be attained; a thing for which it is extremely difficult to lay down general rules, which are at all applicable to the indefinite variety of particular cases; and to ascertain, for instance, with whom we ought to be angry, how long, to what degree, and for what reasons or purposes. Sometimes we praise the defect, and call insensibility meekness; sometimes we praise the excess, and call irascibility manhood. He who deviates but a little from the middle point, commonly escapes blame; great deviations become...

About this edition

• Publisher: SparkNotes
• Publication date: 2003
• ISBN 10: 158663822X
• ISBN 13: 9781586638221
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 80