Book 4 / Chapter 2
Paragraph 1 - Magnificence as a Virtue
Explanation - Part By Part
"It would seem proper to discuss magnificence next. For this also seems to be a virtue concerned with wealth; but it does not like liberality extend to all the actions that are concerned with wealth, but only to those that involve expenditure; and in these it surpasses liberality in scale."
Aristotle is introducing the next virtue, magnificence, which, like liberality, is related to how we use wealth. However, unlike liberality (which applies to all actions involving wealth), magnificence is more specific—it deals only with spending money and doing so on a grander or larger scale than what liberality concerns itself with. In a sense, magnificence is about making big, impactful expenditures, rather than handling finances in everyday ways.
"For, as the name itself suggests, it is a fitting expenditure involving largeness of scale. But the scale is relative; for the expense of equipping a trireme is not the same as that of heading a sacred embassy."
Aristotle is saying that "magnificence," a virtue related to wealth, is characterized by making generous and appropriate expenditures on a large scale. However, what counts as "large-scale" spending depends on the specific context. For example, funding a warship (a trireme) is a much bigger and different expense compared to organizing a religious or ceremonial delegation (a sacred embassy). The point is that "largeness of scale" is relative—it varies depending on the situation and purpose of the spending. Magnificence isn't about spending recklessly or just showing off wealth; it's about making grand expenditures that are suitable for their purpose.
"It is what is fitting, then, in relation to the agent, and to the circumstances and the object. The man who in small or middling things spends according to the merits of the case is not called magnificent (e.g. the man who can say 'many a gift I gave the wanderer'), but only the man who does so in great things."
Aristotle is saying that magnificence is about spending wealth in a way that is grand and appropriate to the situation, the person doing the spending, and the purpose of the expense. It's not just about being generous in any context, but about doing so on a large scale and in a way that is fitting to the circumstances. For example, someone who spends modestly or appropriately on smaller matters may be considered generous or liberal, but they wouldn't be described as "magnificent." Magnificence specifically applies to significant, meaningful expenditures that are well-suited to the context and worthy of the occasion. It's about grandeur with purpose, not just generosity in general.
"For the magnificent man is liberal, but the liberal man is not necessarily magnificent."
This statement highlights the relationship between two virtues: liberality (being generous with wealth in an appropriate and measured way) and magnificence (spending wealth on a grand and appropriate scale). Aristotle is saying that a person who is magnificent must also possess the virtue of liberality—they know how to use their resources wisely and generously. However, the reverse is not true: someone who is liberal (generous in ordinary transactions) doesn't necessarily qualify as magnificent. Why? Because magnificence requires not just generosity but also a sense of grandeur and appropriateness on a large scale, like undertaking significant projects or making impactful expenditures.
"The deficiency of this state of character is called niggardliness, the excess vulgarity, lack of taste, and the like, which do not go to excess in the amount spent on right objects, but by showy expenditure in the wrong circumstances and the wrong manner; we shall speak of these vices later."
In this part, Aristotle is diving into the idea of magnificence as a virtue related to spending wealth appropriately. When he talks about "deficiency" and "excess," he's pointing out the two ways people can miss the mark of virtue. Here's the breakdown of what he's saying:
1. Deficiency (Niggardliness): This is when someone is too stingy or hesitant in spending money, even when the situation calls for it. They fail to rise to the occasion and spend appropriately, showing a lack of greatness in their character.
2. Excess (Vulgarity/Lack of Taste): Excess, on the other hand, happens when someone spends too extravagantly or showily, but in the wrong context or in a way that is inappropriate. It's not about spending enormous sums (which might be fine in the right circumstances for a great cause), but rather about misusing money in a way that lacks refinement or purpose—essentially wasting it or showing off.
Aristotle emphasizes that vulgarity and lack of taste don't mean spending excessively on the right kind of things but rather doing it in an inappropriate or ridiculous way for the situation. He promises to discuss these "vices" (flaws or negative tendencies) more in-depth later.
Overall, magnificence lives in finding balance: large, meaningful, and situationally appropriate spending—neither too little nor wastefully misapplied.