Book 4 / Chapter 1
Paragraph 9 - Sordid Love of Gain
Explanation - Part By Part
"Others again exceed in respect of taking by taking anything and from any source, e.g. those who ply sordid trades, pimps and all such people, and those who lend small sums and at high rates."
Here, Aristotle discusses people whose behavior shows an extreme form of self-interest when it comes to acquiring wealth or resources. These individuals "exceed in respect of taking," meaning they don't just take what's fair or reasonable, but are willing to take from any source, even dishonorable or morally questionable ones. Examples include individuals involved in "sordid trades" such as pimps (who exploit others for profit) or moneylenders who charge extremely high interest rates (exploiting people's financial vulnerabilities). What ties these people together is their willingness to harm or exploit others, prioritizing their pursuit of gain above morality or decency.
"For all of these take more than they ought and from wrong sources. What is common to them is evidently sordid love of gain; they all put up with a bad name for the sake of gain, and little gain at that."
Aristotle is pointing out that certain people have an unhealthy obsession with gaining wealth, even if it means resorting to unethical means or accepting a bad reputation. This "sordid love of gain" motivates them to take more than is fair or ethical, and often from questionable or improper sources. The irony he highlights is that they are willing to tarnish their name and integrity – not even for great wealth, but often for relatively small, insignificant gains. This behavior reflects a lack of virtue or moral character, as their desire for profit overshadows their sense of what is right.
"For those who make great gains but from wrong sources, and not the right gains, e.g. despots when they sack cities and spoil temples, we do not call mean but rather wicked, impious, and unjust."
Aristotle is distinguishing different kinds of wrongdoing when it comes to gaining wealth unlawfully or immorally. He points out that people who pursue large-scale, massive gains from unjust or sinful actions—like despots plundering entire cities or looting temples—aren't simply "mean" (which, in this context, refers to being petty or overly greedy). Instead, their actions are so severe and destructive that these individuals are better described as wicked, impious, or unjust.
The key idea is that their behavior goes beyond mere greed or small-minded avarice—it reflects a deeper moral failure. They're not just chasing money improperly; they're committing acts that profoundly violate justice, piety, and respect for what’s sacred and right.
"But the gamester and the footpad (and the highwayman) belong to the class of the mean, since they have a sordid love of gain."
Aristotle is explaining that a "sordid love of gain" drives certain behaviors and individuals—like a gamester (a gambler), a footpad (a robber), or a highwayman (a bandit). These people will go to unethical or dishonorable lengths to profit, thereby earning the label "mean" or base. They are characterized by their willingness to prioritize personal gain over morals, integrity, or fairness.
"For it is for gain that both of them ply their craft and endure the disgrace of it, and the one faces the greatest dangers for the sake of the booty, while the other makes gain from his friends, to whom he ought to be giving. Both, then, since they are willing to make gain from wrong sources, are sordid lovers of gain; therefore all such forms of taking are mean."
This part is essentially a criticism of people who seek to accumulate wealth or profit in unethical ways. Aristotle highlights two types of individuals: one risks their life for material gain ("faces the greatest dangers for the sake of the booty"), and the other betrays the trust of their close relationships, exploiting their friends for personal benefit ("makes gain from his friends, to whom he ought to be giving").
What Aristotle is emphasizing here is the moral bankruptcy of both behaviors. Both kinds of people prioritize money or gains over values like integrity, trust, and virtue. They willingly adopt dishonorable means for their own profit and tolerate the shame or harm it brings to their character. Because their desire for wealth comes from "wrong sources"—whether it’s endangering others, robbing, or exploiting trust—they are described as having a "sordid love of gain," a kind of obsessive and disgraceful greed. This is what makes their actions "mean" or base, as they reflect a fundamental moral failure.