Book 2 / Chapter 6
Paragraph 3 - The Doctrine of the Mean
Explanation - Part By Part
"If it is thus, then, that every art does its work well- by looking to the intermediate and judging its works by this standard (so that we often say of good works of art that it is not possible either to take away or to add anything, implying that excess and defect destroy the goodness of works of art, while the mean preserves it; and good artists, as we say, look to this in their work), and if, further, virtue is more exact and better than any art, as nature also is, then virtue must have the quality of aiming at the intermediate."
Aristotle is drawing a comparison between craftsmanship (or art) and moral virtue. He points out that good craftsmanship involves finding a balance, or an intermediate point, between extremes. For example, in a well-made work of art, you can’t add or subtract anything without ruining it; its excellence lies in its perfect balance. Too much (excess) or too little (defect) would destroy its quality. Good artists instinctively strive for this balance or "mean" when they create their work.
Taking this idea further, Aristotle argues that moral virtue works the same way. Virtue, being even higher in precision and importance than art, operates on the principle of aiming at an intermediate point – finding balance, avoiding too much or too little in how we act or feel. Virtue, like good art, exists in this balanced state that avoids extremes.
"I mean moral virtue; for it is this that is concerned with passions and actions, and in these there is excess, defect, and the intermediate."
Aristotle is clarifying that when he talks about virtue, he is specifically referring to moral virtue. Moral virtue deals with how we manage our emotions (like fear, anger, or desire) and how we act in response to them. These passions and actions can exist in extremes: either in excess (too much) or defect (too little). The best, most balanced approach—the one linked to virtue—is found in the intermediate position, which avoids both extremes. This balance is key to living well and making morally sound decisions.
"For instance, both fear and confidence and appetite and anger and pity and in general pleasure and pain may be felt both too much and too little, and in both cases not well; but to feel them at the right times, with reference to the right objects, towards the right people, with the right motive, and in the right way, is what is both intermediate and best, and this is characteristic of virtue."
Aristotle is explaining that emotions and feelings, like fear, confidence, desire (appetite), anger, pity, and even experiences of pleasure and pain, can go wrong in two main ways—by being felt either too much (excess) or too little (defect). Neither extreme is good or healthy. Instead, the key to living virtuously is feeling these emotions in the right amounts.
This means experiencing them:
- At the right times (not getting angry at trivial things or being overly joyful at inappropriate moments),
- In relation to the right objects or situations (e.g., being fearful in genuinely dangerous situations and not in harmless ones),
- Directed at the right people (e.g., showing anger or pity toward the appropriate individuals),
- With the right motive (for a morally sound reason rather than out of selfishness or spite), and
- In the right way (expressing emotions in a balanced and controlled manner, not in a way that causes harm or chaos).
When someone consistently achieves this balance, that is the hallmark of virtue. It's not about eliminating emotions but about mastering their proper expression and harmony. Virtue lies in finding this precise balance in how we feel and react.
"Similarly with regard to actions also there is excess, defect, and the intermediate."
This part points out that just like emotions (such as fear, confidence, or anger), your actions can also have too much, too little, or just the right amount. In other words, how you act can go to extremes (either doing too much or too little) or hit the ideal balance in between. Aristotle is emphasizing that this balance—the "intermediate"—is the key to acting virtuously.
"Now virtue is concerned with passions and actions, in which excess is a form of failure, and so is defect, while the intermediate is praised and is a form of success; and being praised and being successful are both characteristics of virtue."
Aristotle is saying that virtue, the quality of moral excellence, is closely tied to both our emotions (passions) and our behaviors (actions). He points out that when we either overdo something (excess) or fail to do enough (defect), we fall short and fail in some way. However, when we find the “intermediate” – the balanced, appropriate amount – this balance is praised and viewed as a kind of success. Virtue, therefore, is all about finding and consistently aiming for that balanced middle point – not too much, not too little – and achieving this balance is what makes virtue praiseworthy and effective.
"Therefore virtue is a kind of mean, since, as we have seen, it aims at what is intermediate."
Aristotle is saying that virtue exists as a balance or “middle point” between two extremes: excess and deficiency. It's like finding the sweet spot in how we feel, act, or react. Virtue isn’t about doing too much or too little—it’s about doing just enough in the right way. This balance, or "mean," is what makes a person morally good and their actions praiseworthy. Virtue is not random; it’s thoughtful, deliberate, and tailored to the situation.