#aristotle

The wise man does not expose himself needlessly to danger, since there are few things for which he cares sufficiently; but he is willing, in great crises, to give even his life--knowing that under certain conditions it is not worth while to live. He is of a disposition to do men service, though he is ashamed to have a service done to him. To confer a kindness is a mark of superiority; to receive one is a mark of subordination... He does not take part in public displays... He is open in his dislikes and preferences; he talks and acts frankly, because of his contempt for men and things... He is never fired with admiration, since there is nothing great in his eyes. He cannot live in complaisance with others, except it be a friend; complaisance is the characteristic of a slave... He never feels malice, and always forgets and passes over injuries... He is not fond of talking... It is no concern of his that he should be praised, or that others should be blamed. He does not speak evil of others, even of his enemies, unless it be to themselves. His carriage is sedate, his voice deep, his speech measured; he is not given to hurry, for he is concerned about only a few things; he is not prone to vehemence, for he thinks nothing very important. A shrill voice and hasty steps come to a man through care... He bears the accidents of life with dignity and grace, making the best of his circumstances, like a skillful general who marshals his limited forces with the strategy of war... He is his own best friend, and takes delight in privacy whereas the man of no virtue or ability is his own worst enemy, and is afraid of solitude. ↗

— Aristotle

#ethics #superman #life

The last part, the part you're now approaching, was for Aristotle the most important for happiness. ↗

— Charles Van Doren

#aristotle #happiness #important #last #most

When you are editing, the final master is Aristotle and his poetics. You might have a terrific episode, but if people are falling out because there are just too many elements in it, you have to begin to get rid of things. ↗

— Ken Burns

#because #begin #editing #elements #episode

To judge therefore of Shakespeare by Aristotle's rule is like trying a man by the Laws of one Country who acted under those of another. ↗

— Elizabeth Montagu

#another #aristotle #country #judge #laws

An Aristotle was but the rubbish of an Adam, and Athens but the rudiments of Paradise. ↗

— Robert South

#aristotle #athens #paradise #rubbish #rudiments

It is easy to understand that in the dreary middle ages the Aristotelian logic would be very acceptable to the controversial spirit of the schoolmen, which, in the absence of all real knowledge, spent its energy upon mere formulas and words, and that it would be eagerly adopted even in its mutilated Arabian form, and presently established as the centre of all knowledge. ↗

— Arthur Schopenhauer

#knowledge #logic #medieval #religion #age

Nature is our book," [Aristotle] would say. "It is the most sacred text we have. Line by line, reason will unlock the mysteries of our world, and once we understand them it will change the way we think. ↗

— J.L. Taylor

#change

The weak are always anxious for justice and equality. The strong pay no heed to either. ↗

— Aristotle

#equality

No great mind has ever existed without a touch of madness. ↗

— Aristotle

#genius #great-minds #madness #mind

Yet Aristotle's excellence of substance, so far from being associated with the grand style, is associated with something that at times comes perilously near jargon. ↗

— Irving Babbitt

#associated #being #comes #excellence #far