Book 2 / Chapter 1
Paragraph 3 - The Role of Legislators in Cultivating Virtue
Explanation - Part By Part
"This is confirmed by what happens in states; for legislators make the citizens good by forming habits in them, and this is the wish of every legislator,"
Aristotle is pointing out that just as individuals develop virtues through repetitive actions, societies as a whole foster goodness in their citizens by encouraging virtuous habits. Legislators, or those who create laws and govern, play a crucial role in shaping the moral character of the people under their care. They do this by establishing systems, practices, and rules that instill good habits in citizens over time. In essence, laws and governance are tools to guide people toward living virtuous and ethical lives. This reflects the moral responsibility of leadership.
"and those who do not effect it miss their mark, and it is in this that a good constitution differs from a bad one."
Aristotle is saying here that a key role of lawmakers and leaders is to shape citizens' character by instilling virtuous habits. Leaders should train people to act in ways that reflect justice, temperance, courage, and other virtues. If lawmakers fail to do this—if they don't help create good habits among citizens—they fail in their purpose or "miss their mark."
The significance of this idea is that the quality of a political or societal system (constitution) hinges on this very task. A good constitution successfully promotes virtue among its people, making them morally upright, while a bad constitution neglects this, leading to a less virtuous society. Essentially, the moral habits of citizens and the system's structure are tightly interwoven.