Book 7 / Chapter 9
Paragraph 3 - Resolution and Pleasure
Explanation - Part By Part
"But there are some who fail to abide by their resolutions, not as a result of incontinence, e.g. Neoptolemus in Sophocles' Philoctetes; yet it was for the sake of pleasure that he did not stand fast-but a noble pleasure;"
Aristotle is making a distinction here. He's pointing out that sometimes people don't stick to their commitments or resolutions, but their failure isn't always due to a lack of self-control (incontinence, as he calls it). He uses the example of Neoptolemus from Sophocles' play Philoctetes. Neoptolemus didn’t remain steadfast in his plan because he was tempted by pleasure—but this wasn’t a base or selfish pleasure. It was a noble or virtuous kind of pleasure. For Neoptolemus, the pleasure came from doing something honorable, like being truthful, even though it conflicted with what he was originally persuaded to do by Odysseus (to lie).
In short, Aristotle is saying that not sticking to a resolution isn’t always a moral failing; it depends on the nature of the reason—whether it’s driven by something commendable or shameful.
"for telling the truth was noble to him, but he had been persuaded by Odysseus to tell the lie."
This part reflects a nuanced philosophical idea about moral struggles and motivations. Aristotle uses the example of Neoptolemus, a character from Sophocles' play Philoctetes, to illustrate the internal conflict between what is noble and what is expedient. Neoptolemus values truth-telling as something noble and virtuous—it aligns with his sense of integrity. However, he ends up lying, not because he indulges in base desires or selfishness, but because he was persuaded by Odysseus to do so in pursuit of a greater strategic goal.
The point Aristotle is emphasizing here is that not all actions motivated by pleasure are inherently bad or indicative of weakness (incontinence). In Neoptolemus’ case, the "pleasure" he experiences comes from the nobility he associates with truth, even though he ultimately compromises this value. Aristotle seems to distinguish between acting for the sake of noble motivations and yielding to disgraceful pleasures (those tied to selfish or dishonorable ends).
"For not every one who does anything for the sake of pleasure is either self-indulgent or bad or incontinent, but he who does it for a disgraceful pleasure."
Aristotle is drawing an important distinction here. He's saying that not all actions done for the sake of pleasure are inherently bad or a sign of a lack of self-control (incontinence). The key factor is the type of pleasure being pursued. If someone pursues a disgraceful or shameful pleasure—one that goes against virtue or moral principles—then those actions reflect problems like self-indulgence, bad character, or lack of self-control.
On the other hand, not all pleasures are bad. Some pleasures, like the pleasure of doing something virtuous or noble, can be good and even admirable. For example, in the story he references, Neoptolemus is persuaded to lie, but he finds greater pleasure and honor in telling the truth. This is a noble pleasure, not a shameful one. The action motivated by this kind of pleasure isn’t a sign of weakness; instead, it reflects a love for what is good and honorable.
So, Aristotle is reminding us to judge actions not solely on the basis of seeking pleasure but based on whether the pleasure pursued is noble or shameful.