Book 1 / Chapter 9
Paragraph 1 - The Nature of Happiness and Its Origins
Explanation - Part By Part
"For this reason also the question is asked, whether happiness is to be acquired by learning or by habituation or some other sort of training, or comes in virtue of some divine providence or again by chance."
Here, Aristotle is reflecting on a fundamental question: How do people achieve happiness? He is exploring whether happiness is something we can actively work toward through education, practice, and habits, or whether it is something that is given to us by a higher power (like divine intervention) or perhaps even random luck. This leads into a deeper inquiry about the sources and nature of happiness—whether it is something within our control or something external to us.
"Now if there is any gift of the gods to men, it is reasonable that happiness should be god-given, and most surely god-given of all human things inasmuch as it is the best."
Aristotle is saying that if the gods give humans any gifts, it would make sense for happiness to be one of them because happiness is the highest and most valuable thing a person can achieve. It is, in his view, the ultimate good in human life, and so, if anything were to be attributed to divine generosity, happiness would certainly be the most fitting candidate.
"But this question would perhaps be more appropriate to another inquiry; happiness seems, however, even if it is not god-sent but comes as a result of virtue and some process of learning or training, to be among the most godlike things;"
Aristotle is acknowledging that the question of whether happiness is granted by divine intervention or acquired through human effort might belong to a different area of discussion. Nonetheless, he emphasizes that happiness, even if it is not a divine gift, but something achieved through personal virtue, education, or consistent effort, is still extraordinarily special and admirable. In fact, he likens happiness to something "godlike," given its extraordinary significance and its role as the ultimate reward or purpose of living a virtuous life. In essence, happiness, whether received or earned, holds a deep connection to what is most excellent and divine in human existence.
"for that which is the prize and end of virtue seems to be the best thing in the world, and something godlike and blessed."
Aristotle is making the point that happiness, or eudaimonia (flourishing, living well), is the ultimate reward or "prize" for living a virtuous life. It is not just a fleeting emotional state but the highest and most meaningful goal a person can achieve. Because of its supreme value, happiness is compared to something godlike or blessed. In other words, it transcends ordinary human pursuits and is connected to something greater, almost divine in nature, because it represents the best and most noble outcome of living a virtuous and disciplined life.