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Single Idea 5257

[from 'Nicomachean Ethics' by Aristotle, in 20. Action / B. Preliminaries of Action / 2. Willed Action / d. Weakness of will ]

Full Idea

The licentious man is unrepentant, because he abides by his choice; but the incontinent (weak-willed) man is always capable of repentance.

Gist of Idea

Licentious people feel no regret, but weak-willed people are capable of repentance

Source

Aristotle (Nicomachean Ethics [c.334 BCE], 1150b28)

Book Reference

Aristotle: 'Ethics (Nicomachean)', ed/tr. ThomsonJ A K/TredennickH [Penguin 1976], p.244


A Reaction

This is the very important feature of virtue theory - that what happens AFTER the action is almost as important as what happens before and during it. Character can be revealed just as much by pride or regret for an action.