Book 4 / Chapter 5
Paragraph 3 - The Importance of Righteous Anger
Explanation - Part By Part
"The deficiency, whether it is a sort of 'inirascibility' or whatever it is, is blamed."
Aristotle is talking about a flaw in character where someone lacks the ability to become angry when it is appropriate—a trait he roughly refers to as "inirascibility" (a kind of inability to feel or express anger). He points out that such a deficiency is not viewed as virtuous or praiseworthy. In other words, while excessive anger is a problem, a complete absence of anger when it is justified (and even necessary) is also seen as a failure. This is because anger, if used correctly, serves a purpose—it signals that something wrong has occurred and can motivate action to address it.
"For those who are not angry at the things they should be angry at are thought to be fools, and so are those who are not angry in the right way, at the right time, or with the right persons;"
Aristotle is saying that there's a kind of foolishness in not getting angry when it is justified. In his view, anger is a natural and necessary response in certain situations—like when someone is wronged, or when something unjust happens. However, even justified anger must follow specific rules: it has to be directed at the right cause, at the appropriate person, and expressed at the proper time and in the right way. Otherwise, the anger is misdirected or inappropriate, which makes it just as problematic as not reacting at all when you should.
"for such a man is thought not to feel things nor to be pained by them, and, since he does not get angry, he is thought unlikely to defend himself;"
Aristotle is describing a person who lacks anger entirely or doesn't express it appropriately when it's warranted. Such a person is often viewed as indifferent or emotionally numb—someone who doesn't respond to injustices or offenses as they should. Because they fail to get angry in situations where anger would be justified, people might see them as passive or unwilling to stand up for themselves or others. This absence of anger could suggest a lack of self-respect or concern for what is right.
"and to endure being insulted and put up with insult to one's friends is slavish."
Aristotle suggests that tolerating insults directed at oneself or one’s friends without responding is not a sign of virtue but rather a sign of weakness or servility. By "slavish," he means that such behavior reflects a lack of self-respect and dignity, almost as if the person accepts being mistreated as though they have no autonomy or sense of worth. In his eyes, anger, when directed at the right things and handled appropriately, is a necessary response to injustice or harm. Without it, individuals fail to stand up for themselves or those they care about, which diminishes their character and social integrity.