Single Idea 5243

[catalogued under 22. Metaethics / B. Value / 2. Values / i. Self-interest]

Full Idea

The best person is not the one who exercises his virtue towards himself but the one who exercises it towards another, because this is a difficult task.

Gist of Idea

The best people exercise their virtue towards others, rather than to themselves

Source

Aristotle (Nicomachean Ethics [c.334 BCE], 1130a07)

Book Reference

Aristotle: 'Ethics (Nicomachean)', ed/tr. ThomsonJ A K/TredennickH [Penguin 1976], p.174


A Reaction

This is an importance counterbalance to the view that Greeks are concerned with self-development, and we are concerned with altruism. Above all, Aristotle wants us to be good citizens, and this implies a great deal of altruism.