Book 7 / Chapter 6
Paragraph 3 - The Criminal Nature of Plotting and Incontinence
Explanation - Part By Part
"Further, those who are more given to plotting against others are more criminal. Now a passionate man is not given to plotting, nor is anger itself-it is open;"
Aristotle is making an important distinction here between anger and premeditated malice. He argues that someone who acts out of anger is not as "criminal" in nature as someone who plots or schemes to harm others. This is because anger, while volatile and potentially destructive, is direct and impulsive—it doesn’t involve deceit or secret planning. In other words, it’s out in the open and lacks the calculating, manipulative intent behind more planned or scheming behavior. Aristotle seems to be saying that the transparency of anger makes it less morally corrupt than actions driven by hidden, deliberate malice.
"but the nature of appetite is illustrated by what the poets call Aphrodite, 'guile-weaving daughter of Cyprus', and by Homer's words about her 'embroidered girdle':"
In this part, Aristotle is using poetic imagery to explain the nature of desires or appetites. He refers to Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of love and desire, who is often associated with cunning and seductive allure (hence, "guile-weaving"). By calling her this, Aristotle is pointing out how desires, like the allure of Aphrodite, often involve subtle manipulation and can lead even the wisest or most prudent people astray. The "embroidered girdle" from Homer’s description symbolizes an irresistible charm or attraction that has the power to cloud judgment—highlighting how appetites can be deceptive and sneaky by nature, unlike the openness of anger, which he mentioned earlier.
Simply put, Aristotle is emphasizing that desires tend to be crafty and calculated, rather than straightforward, making them potentially more harmful or morally problematic than anger.
"And the whisper of wooing is there, Whose subtlety stealeth the wits of the wise, how prudent soe'er."
In this part, Aristotle is quoting a Homeric passage that describes the seductive and manipulative nature of desire, specifically as it relates to love and lust, which the poets often personify through the goddess Aphrodite. The "whisper of wooing" refers to the quiet, almost imperceptible way in which desire works its influence, subtly overtaking even the wisdom and prudence of the wisest individuals. It points to how desire can cloud judgment and lead people into irrational or harmful actions without their full awareness, contrasting it with the openness and directness of anger. This quote serves to emphasize the cunning and deceptive nature of certain desires, which makes them, in Aristotle's eyes, more dangerous and morally significant when it comes to wrongdoing.
"Therefore if this form of incontinence is more criminal and disgraceful than that in respect of anger, it is both incontinence without qualification and in a sense vice."
Aristotle is drawing a distinction between two types of uncontrolled behavior, or incontinence: one driven by desire (appetite) and the other driven by anger. He is asserting that acting out of uncontrolled desire is worse—more morally wrong ("criminal") and shameful ("disgraceful")—than acting out of uncontrolled anger. Why? Because desire often involves calculation and deceit, as shown by the poets who describe it as "guile-weaving" (full of trickery and manipulation). Desire can cleverly manipulate situations for selfish ends, whereas anger, by its nature, is more impulsive and "open" in its expression—it acts immediately, without premeditated plotting.
If we consider this, Aristotle argues that giving in to desire is worse because it involves a deliberate moral failing, which borders on vice—a deeper and more serious character flaw. It is not just a momentary lapse in self-control but something closer to a consistent bad habit or tendency. On the other hand, losing control due to anger isn't as deeply rooted—it’s less calculated and therefore less grievous by comparison.