Book 5 / Chapter 1
Paragraph 5 - The Nature of the Unjust Man
Explanation - Part By Part
"Since the unjust man is grasping, he must be concerned with goods-not all goods, but those with which prosperity and adversity have to do, which taken absolutely are always good, but for a particular person are not always good."
Aristotle here is pointing out that the unjust person is "grasping," meaning they are overly eager or selfishly focused on obtaining certain things. But he clarifies that the unjust person is not concerned with every type of good, just those goods that are tied to prosperity or adversity—things like wealth, power, or material possessions. These are things that, in a general sense or "absolutely," might seem good. However, they aren’t inherently good for everyone in every situation, as they can sometimes lead to harm or be detrimental to a specific individual depending on the circumstances.
This distinction highlights Aristotle’s broader point that what’s truly good is not just about obtaining these external goods but about aligning them with what’s genuinely beneficial for a person’s life and character.
"Now men pray for and pursue these things; but they should not, but should pray that the things that are good absolutely may also be good for them, and should choose the things that are good for them."
Here, Aristotle points out a very human tendency: people often desire and seek what they think are "good things" in general, like wealth, power, or material success. However, he stresses a critical distinction — just because something is considered good "absolutely" (good on its own or universally) doesn't mean it will truly benefit an individual or align with what is good for them specifically.
He suggests that instead of blindly chasing after generalized "goods," people should adopt a wiser approach. They should hope (or pray) that the things that are good in an objective sense also align with what is personally beneficial and fitting for their lives. More importantly, they should focus on wisely choosing what is actually good for them, tailored to their own flourishing and well-being, rather than assuming all seemingly good things will lead to happiness.
"The unjust man does not always choose the greater, but also the less-in the case of things bad absolutely; but because the lesser evil is itself thought to be in a sense good, and graspingness is directed at the good, therefore he is thought to be grasping."
Aristotle is explaining here that an unjust person doesn't always go for the "greater" outcome (like a bigger reward or benefit), but sometimes chooses the "lesser" option, particularly when dealing with things that are inherently bad—like evils or harms. Why? Because even among bad things, the lesser evil might seem somewhat "good" in comparison to the greater evil. This is where the unjust person's mindset comes in: their grasping nature (their constant desire to take or choose) is always focused on what seems "good" to them, even if it's only a relative or partial good (like choosing a smaller harm over a bigger one). This tendency to keep reaching for something perceived as "better" makes them "grasping" and ultimately unfair.
"And he is unfair; for this contains and is common to both."
Aristotle is pointing out that unfairness is a central quality that ties together the behaviors of the "unjust man." Whether someone is lawless (breaking rules or acting immorally) or grasping (selfishly taking more than their fair share of good things), both behaviors ultimately boil down to being unfair. This unfairness summarizes the unjust person's way of disrupting balance or equity—seizing advantages in ways that harm or neglect others. It’s a shared essence between being lawless and being selfishly grasping.