Book 1 / Chapter 8
Paragraph 4 - The Role of External Goods in Achieving Happiness
Explanation - Part By Part
"Yet evidently, as we said, it needs the external goods as well; for it is impossible, or not easy, to do noble acts without the proper equipment."
Aristotle is explaining here that while happiness (or living a virtuous life) is rooted in internal moral qualities and noble actions, it also requires certain external goods or resources. In other words, even if someone has the best intentions or moral character, they might find it difficult—or even impossible—to perform noble actions or live a fulfilling life without the necessary material or societal conditions that support such actions. Think of "equipment" as the external means or tools—like money, support, or opportunities—that make virtuous living more achievable.
"In many actions we use friends and riches and political power as instruments; and there are some things the lack of which takes the lustre from happiness, as good birth, goodly children, beauty;"
Aristotle is highlighting that external factors—things like friendships, wealth, and social status (political power)—play the role of tools or resources that help us carry out noble and virtuous actions. These external goods are not the essence of happiness itself, but they support and enhance a person's ability to live a fulfilling, virtuous life.
He then points out that there are certain aspects of life—such as being born into a respectable family (good birth), having admirable children (goodly children), or possessing physical attractiveness (beauty)—that, while not strictly necessary for happiness, do contribute to making life more "complete" or "shiny." Without these, someone’s happiness might feel diminished because these factors influence how a person is perceived by others and how they engage with the world.
"for the man who is very ugly in appearance or ill-born or solitary and childless is not very likely to be happy, and perhaps a man would be still less likely if he had thoroughly bad children or friends or had lost good children or friends by death."
Aristotle is pointing out that external circumstances can significantly impact someone's ability to live a truly happy life, even if they are virtuous. He suggests that certain misfortunes, like being physically unattractive, born into a poor or unremarkable lineage, living in isolation, or not having children, can make it harder for a person to feel fulfilled or achieve happiness. Even worse, having bad relationships—such as children or friends who are harmful—or suffering the loss of loved ones can add even greater obstacles to happiness. Essentially, he recognizes that while virtue is central to happiness, external factors and relationships play a crucial supporting role, as they shape the context in which someone lives their life.
"As we said, then, happiness seems to need this sort of prosperity in addition; for which reason some identify happiness with good fortune, though others identify it with virtue."
Aristotle is emphasizing that happiness, while deeply connected to virtue and living a life of noble actions, also requires a degree of external prosperity. This means that external factors, like having supportive relationships, sufficient wealth, and favorable life circumstances, play a role in achieving and sustaining happiness. Because of this, people sometimes equate happiness either with good fortune (having luck and favorable external conditions) or virtue (living a life of moral excellence and goodness). Aristotle acknowledges that both perspectives have some truth, as external goods can enhance happiness, even though virtue remains central to its core.