Aristotle Quotes

Aristotle was an ancient Greek philosopher and polymath who made significant contributions to various fields, including philosophy, science, logic, and ethics. He was a student of Plato and a tutor to Alexander the Great. Aristotle's works, such as "Nicomachean Ethics" and "Metaphysics," explored fundamental questions about human nature, morality, and the nature of reality. His systematic approach to knowledge and his influential ideas have had a profound impact on Western philosophy and continue to be studied and debated today.

Democracy is when the indigent, and not the men of... -Aristotle

Democracy is when the indigent, and not the men of property, are the rulers.

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This quote defines democracy as a system in which those who are economically disadvantaged or lacking in property hold the power of governance, suggesting a focus on empowering the marginalized rather than the wealthy elite.

Wishing to be friends is quick work, but friendshi... -Aristotle

Wishing to be friends is quick work, but friendship is a slow ripening fruit.

No notice is taken of a little evil, but when it i... -Aristotle

No notice is taken of a little evil, but when it increases it strikes the eye.

It is the mark of an educated mind to be able to e... -Aristotle

It is the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it.

Both oligarch and tyrant mistrust the people, and ... -Aristotle

Both oligarch and tyrant mistrust the people, and therefore deprive them of their arms.

The law is reason, free from passion.

Some animals utter a loud cry. Some are silent, and others have a voice, which in some cases may be expressed by a word; in others, it cannot. There are also noisy animals and silent animals, musical and unmusical kinds, but they are mostly noisy about the breeding season.

We make war that we may live in peace.

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This quote reflects the concept of engaging in war as a means to establish or protect peace. It suggests that some view war as a necessary evil or a strategic maneuver aimed at securing a more stable and peaceful existence in the aftermath of the conflict.

The state comes into existence for the sake of life and continues to exist for the sake of good life.

The moral virtues, then, are produced in us neither by nature nor against nature. Nature, indeed, prepares in us the ground for their reception, but their complete formation is the product of habit.

All paid jobs absorb and degrade the mind.

At his best, man is the noblest of all animals; se... -Aristotle

At his best, man is the noblest of all animals; separated from law and justice he is the worst.

The poet, being an imitator like a painter or any other artist, must of necessity imitate one of three objects - things as they were or are, things as they are said or thought to be, or things as they ought to be. The vehicle of expression is language - either current terms or, it may be, rare words or metaphors.

Education is an ornament in prosperity and a refug... -Aristotle

Education is an ornament in prosperity and a refuge in adversity.

Character may almost be called the most effective ... -Aristotle

Character may almost be called the most effective means of persuasion.

Whether if soul did not exist time would exist or not, is a question that may fairly be asked; for if there cannot be someone to count there cannot be anything that can be counted, so that evidently there cannot be number; for number is either what has been, or what can be, counted.

But if nothing but soul, or in soul mind, is qualified to count, it is impossible for there to be time unless there is soul, but only that of which time is an attribute, i.e. if change can exist without soul.

The aim of art is to represent not the outward app... -Aristotle

The aim of art is to represent not the outward appearance of things, but their inward significance.

No one would choose a friendless existence on cond... -Aristotle

No one would choose a friendless existence on condition of having all the other things in the world.

Hence poetry is something more philosophic and of graver import than history, since its statements are rather of the nature of universals, whereas those of history are singulars.

It is best to rise from life as from a banquet, ne... -Aristotle

It is best to rise from life as from a banquet, neither thirsty nor drunken.

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This quote advises experiencing life with moderation and contentment, suggesting that one should not excessively indulge in its pleasures or become overwhelmed by its challenges. It implies that living a balanced and measured life leads to greater fulfillment.