Book 4 / Chapter 7
Paragraph 2 - The Truthful Man
Explanation - Part By Part
"Let us discuss them both, but first of all the truthful man. We are not speaking of the man who keeps faith in his agreements, i.e. in the things that pertain to justice or injustice (for this would belong to another virtue), but the man who in the matters in which nothing of this sort is at stake is true both in word and in life because his character is such."
Aristotle is shifting his focus to talk about a specific kind of truthful person. Here, he makes an important distinction: he's not referring to someone who is truthful when it involves obligations, contracts, or matters of justice—the kind of truthfulness that pertains to fairness or ethical duties in relationships or society. That belongs to a different virtue (justice). Instead, he's talking about someone who is naturally truthful in areas where no external responsibility or stakes are involved. This kind of person has truthfulness ingrained in their character; they are honest and straightforward simply because it's who they are, not because they're trying to fulfill a particular obligation or goal.
"But such a man would seem to be as a matter of fact equitable. For the man who loves truth, and is truthful where nothing is at stake, will still more be truthful where something is at stake; he will avoid falsehood as something base, seeing that he avoided it even for its own sake; and such a man is worthy of praise."
This passage highlights the character of a person who naturally values truth for its own sake, without any ulterior motive. Aristotle suggests that such a person is "equitable" or fair because their commitment to honesty is consistent, regardless of whether the stakes are high or low. If someone avoids lying even in trivial matters where they have nothing to gain or lose, it shows that their love for truth is deeply ingrained in their character. Consequently, this same person is even more likely to uphold the truth when it really matters, as falsehood is inherently distasteful to them. This kind of genuine truthfulness is considered noble and deserving of praise because it reflects integrity and a devotion to what is good and honorable, rather than self-interest.
"He inclines rather to understate the truth; for this seems in better taste because exaggerations are wearisome."
Aristotle is emphasizing that a truthful person—someone who values truth for its own sake and not out of ulterior motives—tends to lean toward modesty rather than exaggeration when presenting facts about themselves or the world. The idea here is that understated honesty comes across as more graceful or refined, while exaggeration can feel excessive, burdensome, or even irritating to others. This restrained approach to truth-telling is seen as being in good taste, reflecting both humility and respect for others’ tolerance for self-aggrandizement or embellishment. Subtle, genuine honesty is more admirable than boastful overstatement.