Book 4 / Chapter 7
Paragraph 3 - The Nature of Boasting and Its Objects
Explanation - Part By Part
"He who claims more than he has with no ulterior object is a contemptible sort of fellow (otherwise he would not have delighted in falsehood), but seems futile rather than bad;"
Aristotle is saying there are people who present themselves as having more abilities, qualities, or virtues than they actually possess, and they do so without any deeper purpose or hidden agenda. These individuals are not necessarily "bad" in the same moral sense as someone doing harm, but they are seen as contemptible—deserving of scorn—because they seem to enjoy falsehood for its own sake. Instead of being harmful, their behavior comes across as pointless, shallow, or even foolish. They are not dangerous; they’re just disappointing and lack substance.
"but if he does it for an object, he who does it for the sake of reputation or honour is (for a boaster) not very much to be blamed,"
Aristotle is saying that if someone exaggerates or boasts for a specific purpose rather than just for the sake of lying, it's not inherently terrible, especially if the purpose is to gain reputation or honor. In such cases, while boasting isn't entirely virtuous, it's not considered deeply wrong either. This is because striving for recognition or respect through exaggeration is a comparatively milder fault compared to more selfish or harmful motives.
"but he who does it for money, or the things that lead to money, is an uglier character (it is not the capacity that makes the boaster, but the purpose;"
Aristotle is saying that boasting—for example, making false claims or exaggerating one's qualities—becomes worse when it's done for the sake of money or material gain. The critical point here is that the problem isn't simply having the ability to boast or the act of boasting itself, but rather why someone does it, their underlying intention or purpose. If their goal is selfish, like earning money through dishonesty, it reflects something morally "uglier" or more reprehensible about their character. Aristotle underscores that the purpose behind an action reveals much about the kind of person someone truly is.
"for it is in virtue of his state of character and by being a man of a certain kind that he is boaster);"
Aristotle is emphasizing that boasting—exaggerating one's qualities or achievements—comes from a person's state of character and the kind of person they are deep down. In other words, someone becomes a boaster not because of their abilities or skills, but because their personality or moral character inclines them toward this behavior. It stems from their inner nature and how they choose to present themselves to others. It's not simply about what they do, but about who they are and what motivates them.
"as one man is a liar because he enjoys the lie itself, and another because he desires reputation or gain."
Aristotle is pointing out that people can lie for different reasons, and these motivations reflect their character. Some individuals lie simply because they enjoy the act of lying itself—it’s almost like they take pleasure in deceit for its own sake. On the other hand, others lie because they aim to achieve something through their falsehood, like improving their reputation or gaining some kind of personal benefit. The distinction Aristotle makes here highlights that it's not just the act of lying that matters, but why someone chooses to lie, as this reveals their deeper intentions and moral inclinations.
"Now those who boast for the sake of reputation claim such qualities as will praise or congratulation,"
Aristotle is explaining that people who boast in order to gain a good reputation tend to focus on qualities that will earn them admiration or praise from others. For example, they might exaggerate or fabricate positive traits or achievements that society deems valuable or praiseworthy, such as being brave, generous, or wise. These qualities are usually ones that make others think highly of them, enhancing their social status and approval.
"but those whose object is gain claim qualities which are of value to one's neighbours and one's lack of which is not easily detected, e.g. the powers of a seer, a sage, or a physician."
Aristotle is noting that people who boast for personal gain often pretend to possess qualities or skills that are beneficial to others—things that people value but cannot easily verify or detect if someone truly possesses. For example, someone might falsely claim to have the abilities of a prophet (seer), a wise philosopher (sage), or a doctor (physician). These are roles where specialized knowledge or expertise is assumed, and others may not have the means to easily challenge or confirm such claims. This kind of boasting exploits people's trust or reliance on such expertise for selfish purposes.
"For this reason it is such things as these that most people claim and boast about; for in them the above-mentioned qualities are found."
Aristotle is pointing out that people often boast about qualities that are hard for others to verify, especially when their claims could bring them praise or benefit. These would be traits or abilities like being a wise thinker, an expert doctor, or someone with supernatural foresight (like a seer). Such qualities are considered valuable by others and are not always easy to prove false. Therefore, they are the kind of things people are most likely to exaggerate or falsely claim in order to gain reputation or material advantage.