Full Idea
The virtue of the citizen must be in relation to the constitution; and as there are many constitutions, there cannot be just one single and perfect virtue of the sound citizen.
Gist of Idea
The virtues of a good citizen are relative to a particular constitution
Source
Aristotle (Politics [c.332 BCE], 1276b28)
Book Reference
Aristotle: 'Politics', ed/tr. Sinclair,T.A. /Saunders,T. [Penguin 1992], p.179
A Reaction
This is very striking support for the view that Aristotle's account of the virtues in 'Ethics' is merely a description of conventions (Athenian, presumably), rather than an appeal to nature. However, see his account of the soul, and human function.
Related Idea
Idea 5246 Natural justice is the same everywhere, and does not (unlike legal justice) depend on acceptance [Aristotle]