Love is composed of a single soul inhabiting two bodies.
AristotleRead
Bad people...are in conflict with themselves; they desire one thing and will another, like the incontinent who choose harmful pleasures instead of what they themselves believe to be good.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote highlights the internal conflict experienced by individuals who act contrary to their own beliefs about what is good.
Aristotle's quote delves into the moral struggle faced by individuals who are aware of what is right or beneficial yet choose actions that contradict their own values and beliefs. This internal discord, referred to as incontinence, leads to a conflict that undermines their integrity and sense of self. It suggests that the true battle of ethics and morality often lies within, where desires clash with one's principles, ultimately affecting their character and well-being.
Themes
Internal ConflictMoralityDesireIntegrityEthics
In practice
Example use cases
During a discussion on ethical decision-making, one could reference this quote to highlight the challenges of staying true to one's values.
More from Aristotle
All quotes βThose who cannot bravely face danger are the slaves of their attackers.
AristotleRead
For often, when one is asleep, there is something in consciousness which declares that what then presents itself is but a dream.
AristotleRead
You will never do anything in this world without courage. It is the greatest quality of the mind next to honor.
AristotleRead
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.
AristotleRead
The whole is more than the sum of its parts.
AristotleRead
Similar quotes
It is a maxim among these lawyers, that whatever hath been done before, may legally be done again: and therefore they take special care to record all the decisions formerly made against common justice and the general reason of mankind.
Jonathan SwiftRead
Finding myself to exist in the world, I believe I shall, in some shape or other, always exist.
Benjamin FranklinRead
All joy... emphasizes our pilgrim status; always reminds, beckons, awakens desire. Our best havings are wantings.
C. S. LewisRead
I am the angel of Reality, Seen for a moment standing in the door.
Wallace StevensRead
We must, indeed, all hang together or, most assuredly, we shall all hang separately.
Benjamin FranklinRead
I think we live in a culture that is actually hedging all of it towards comfort and immediacy, things that scare me. All the things that they sell us as a way of life scare me.
Guillermo Del ToroRead