Men acquire a particular quality by constantly acting in a particular way.
Quality is not an act, it is a habit.
All human actions have one or more of these seven causes: chance, nature, compulsions, habit, reason, passion, desire.
What the statesman is most anxious to produce is a certain moral character in his fellow citizens, namely a disposition to virtue and the performance of virtuous actions.
We become just by performing just action, temperate by performing temperate actions, brave by performing brave action.
Moral excellence comes about as a result of habit. We become just by doing just acts, temperate by doing temperate acts, brave by doing brave acts.
The eyes of some persons are large, others small, and others of a moderate size; the last-mentioned are the best. And some eyes are projecting, some deep-set, and some moderate, and those which are deep-set have the most acute vision in all animals; the middle position is a sign of the best disposition.
Education is an ornament in prosperity and a refuge in adversity.
Most people would rather give than get affection.
Bashfulness is an ornament to youth, but a reproach to old age.
It is just that we should be grateful, not only to those with whose views we may agree, but also to those who have expressed more superficial views; for these also contributed something, by developing before us the powers of thought.
In poverty and other misfortunes of life, true friends are a sure refuge. The young they keep out of mischief; to the old they are a comfort and aid in their weakness, and those in the prime of life they incite to noble deeds.
The aim of the wise is not to secure pleasure, but to avoid pain.
Every art and every inquiry, and similarly every action and choice, is thought to aim at some good; and for this reason the good has rightly been declared to be that at which all things aim.
Politicians also have no leisure, because they are always aiming at something beyond political life itself, power and glory, or happiness.
If liberty and equality, as is thought by some, are chiefly to be found in democracy, they will be best attained when all persons alike share in government to the utmost.
Perfect friendship is the friendship of men who are good, and alike in excellence; for these wish well alike to each other qua good, and they are good in themselves.
Good habits formed at youth make all the difference.
Change in all things is sweet.
Anybody can become angry - that is easy, but to be angry with the right person and to the right degree and at the right time and for the right purpose, and in the right way - that is not within everybody's power and is not easy.
