Book 7 / Chapter 7
Paragraph 5 - Incontinence: Impetuosity and Weakness
Explanation - Part By Part
"Of incontinence one kind is impetuosity, another weakness. For some men after deliberating fail, owing to their emotion, to stand by the conclusions of their deliberation, others because they have not deliberated are led by their emotion;"
Aristotle is discussing the concept of incontinence (lack of self-control) and categorizes it into two types: impetuosity and weakness.
In the case of weakness, a person thinks something through and recognizes what the right course of action is, but their emotions—whether it's fear, desire, or some other feeling—overpower their rational decision and prevent them from following through with what they know is best.
In the case of impetuosity, the person doesn't even pause to deliberate or weigh their choices. Instead, they are swept away impulsively by their emotions. This lack of self-restraint happens not because they decided poorly, but because they never gave their reasoning the chance to intervene at all.
Essentially, Aristotle is highlighting two ways people fail to exercise self-control: either by overthinking but being too emotionally weak to act or by acting impulsively without thinking at all.
"since some men (just as people who first tickle others are not tickled themselves), if they have first perceived and seen what is coming and have first roused themselves and their calculative faculty, are not defeated by their emotion, whether it be pleasant or painful."
Aristotle is making an important observation here about self-awareness and preparation. He's saying that some people, much like how tickling doesn't work on someone who is tickling others because they are prepared for the sensation, can resist being overtaken by their emotions if they mentally anticipate or "see what is coming." In other words, by engaging their reasoning and foresight (their "calculative faculty") and getting ready for the emotional impulse—whether it’s a temptation of pleasure or a surge of pain—they can maintain control over their actions.
The core idea is that awareness and preparation can shield a person from being overwhelmed by their emotions. Those who are caught off guard or aren't mindful are more likely to act impulsively. It's a kind of mental discipline that helps them resist being "defeated" by things like anger, desire, or fear.
"It is keen and excitable people that suffer especially from the impetuous form of incontinence; for the former by reason of their quickness and the latter by reason of the violence of their passions do not await the argument, because they are apt to follow their imagination."
Aristotle here is making an observation about human behavior, particularly about how certain types of people are more prone to what he calls "impetuous incontinence." Let’s break it down:
Some people, because they are quick and sharp-witted, or because they are intensely emotional and passionate, are especially prone to acting impulsively. These individuals don’t give themselves enough time to reflect or reason through a situation fully ("do not await the argument"). Instead, they are guided by their desires or emotions in a knee-jerk reaction, heavily influenced by their imagination or immediate impressions.
Essentially, what he is saying is that impulsive people—whether it’s because they’re highly reactive or passionately carried away—are ruled by emotion rather than rational thought. Their "quickness" or emotional "intensity" makes it hard for them to slow down and respond thoughtfully.