Book 1 / Chapter 8
Paragraph 3 - The Nature of Pleasure in the Virtuous Life
Explanation - Part By Part
"Their life is also in itself pleasant. For pleasure is a state of soul, and to each man that which he is said to be a lover of is pleasant; e.g. not only is a horse pleasant to the lover of horses, and a spectacle to the lover of sights, but also in the same way just acts are pleasant to the lover of justice and in general virtuous acts to the lover of virtue."
Aristotle is explaining that living a virtuous life is inherently enjoyable and fulfilling because pleasure comes from within the soul. What people find pleasurable depends on what they love. For instance, someone who loves horses enjoys being around horses, and someone who loves beautiful sights finds joy in seeing them. In the same way, a person who loves justice finds joy in performing just actions, and someone who is devoted to virtue finds pleasure in doing virtuous deeds. Essentially, the enjoyment comes from aligning life with what one values deeply.
"Now for most men their pleasures are in conflict with one another because these are not by nature pleasant, but the lovers of what is noble find pleasant the things that are by nature pleasant; and virtuous actions are such, so that these are pleasant for such men as well as in their own nature."
Aristotle is pointing out that for most people, their pleasures often clash with one another because these pleasures are not inherently aligned with what is naturally good or fulfilling. For example, people might chase after superficial or fleeting pleasures—like indulging in excess food or destructive habits—which might contradict their deeper aspirations or long-term well-being.
In contrast, those who are "lovers of what is noble" (people who devote themselves to pursuing virtue and living an ethical life) find pleasure in what is naturally good and fulfilling. These pleasures are not artificial or fleeting—they stem directly from virtuous actions, which are harmonious with human nature and lead to a balanced, meaningful life. Virtuous actions are enjoyable both because of their goodness and because they resonate with the deeper nature of virtuous individuals.
"Their life, therefore, has no further need of pleasure as a sort of adventitious charm, but has its pleasure in itself. For, besides what we have said, the man who does not rejoice in noble actions is not even good; since no one would call a man just who did not enjoy acting justly, nor any man liberal who did not enjoy liberal actions; and similarly in all other cases."
Aristotle is making the argument that for a virtuous person, living a good and moral life is inherently enjoyable—you don't need extra sources of pleasure to make life fulfilling. True virtue naturally includes joy because virtuous actions align with one's character and values. For example, a just person takes pleasure in acting justly, while a generous person finds satisfaction in acts of generosity. If someone doesn’t actually enjoy doing what is noble and virtuous, Aristotle suggests they cannot genuinely be called virtuous. Joy in doing what is good is a key sign of truly possessing virtue.
"If this is so, virtuous actions must be in themselves pleasant. But they are also good and noble, and have each of these attributes in the highest degree, since the good man judges well about these attributes; his judgement is such as we have described."
Aristotle here emphasizes the intrinsic qualities of virtuous actions. He is asserting that virtuous acts are inherently pleasant—they are enjoyable in and of themselves, not because of any external reward or gain. Furthermore, these actions aren’t just pleasant; they are also inherently good (contributing to personal and communal excellence) and noble (worthy of admiration and respect). What's more, virtuous actions embody these qualities—pleasure, goodness, and nobility—at their highest level.
The "good man," as described earlier in the text, is someone whose character is aligned with virtue and who has cultivated excellent judgment. His ability to discern these attributes (pleasant, good, noble) is trustworthy because his moral and intellectual framework is well-developed. Essentially, virtuous actions are valued both for their beauty and ethical excellence, and a virtuous person recognizes and delights in their worth intuitively.
"Happiness then is the best, noblest, and most pleasant thing in the world, and these attributes are not severed as in the inscription at Delos-"
Aristotle is emphasizing that happiness is a unique and comprehensive concept because it unites the best qualities in life: it is the best, the noblest, and the most pleasant. Unlike the famous inscription at Delos (a Greek island known for its cultural and religious significance), which separates these qualities—suggesting that justice is the noblest, health is the best, and love is the most pleasant—Aristotle is arguing that true happiness encompasses all of these attributes simultaneously. In his view, happiness is not fragmented like the Delos inscription suggests; rather, it is a harmonious whole, where the good, the noble, and the pleasurable come together as one. This unification makes happiness the highest and most complete form of human fulfillment.
"Most noble is that which is justest, and best is health; But pleasantest is it to win what we love. For all these properties belong to the best activities; and these, or one- the best- of these, we identify with happiness."
In this part, Aristotle is referencing an old inscription from Delos, which separates nobility, goodness, and pleasure into distinct qualities. It says that justice is the most noble, health is the best, and winning what we love is the most pleasurable. However, Aristotle disagrees with the idea that these qualities exist separately.
He argues that the highest form of human activity, which embodies virtuous action, moral excellence, and true happiness, unites all these qualities: nobility, goodness, and pleasure. For Aristotle, happiness isn’t just about any one aspect (like justice, health, or pleasure on their own); rather, it is the result of living a life that harmonizes these qualities through virtuous, meaningful action. Happiness, in his view, is a holistic achievement where the best aspects of human life naturally come together.