Book 7 / Chapter 5
Paragraph 4 - Incontinence and Continence in Relation to Self-Indulgence and Temperance
Explanation - Part By Part
"That incontinence and continence, then, are concerned only with the same objects as selfindulgence and temperance"
Aristotle is saying that incontinence (the inability to control desires or urges) and continence (the ability to control them) revolve around the same types of things as self-indulgence (overindulging in pleasures) and temperance (self-control regarding pleasures). In other words, these traits are tied to our natural desires or pleasures—things like eating, drinking, or other physical gratifications.
He's saying that the discussion of incontinence and continence isn't about every possible human behavior but specifically about how we handle desires for these sorts of physical pleasures. It’s within this sphere that these terms properly apply. For Aristotle, the ability or inability to control urges like indulging in food, drink, or similar pleasures is central to what makes someone continent or incontinent.
"and that what is concerned with other objects is a type distinct from incontinence, and called incontinence by a metaphor and not simply, is plain."
Aristotle is making a clarification here. He says that true incontinence (the inability to control oneself) is specifically related to desires that deal with indulgence in pleasures, like food, drink, and sex—the same areas that self-indulgence (overindulgence) and temperance (moderation) concern themselves with. However, when someone lacks control over other kinds of feelings or behaviors—such as excessive anger, fear, or other emotions—it isn’t really the same as this "true" incontinence. Instead, it’s only called incontinence in a metaphorical sense. In other words, losing control in those other areas is similar to incontinence, but it’s not exactly the same thing because it doesn’t deal with the pleasures central to true self-indulgence or temperance.