Book 9 / Chapter 4
Paragraph 2 - The Good Man's Relationship with Himself
Explanation - Part By Part
"Now each of these is true of the good man's relation to himself (and of all other men in so far as they think themselves good; virtue and the good man seem, as has been said, to be the measure of every class of things)."
Aristotle is pointing out that all the characteristics used to define a good friend (from the previous paragraph) also apply to the way a good person relates to themselves. In other words, a virtuous person embodies these qualities in their relationship with their own inner self. He is also emphasizing that virtue acts as a standard or "measure" for everything—it defines what it means to be truly good, both in relation to others and oneself. Essentially, someone who thinks of themselves as good (and acts virtuously) demonstrates the same traits inwardly as they would in their friendships.
"For his opinions are harmonious, and he desires the same things with all his soul; and therefore he wishes for himself what is good and what seems so, and does it (for it is characteristic of the good man to work out the good), and does so for his own sake (for he does it for the sake of the intellectual element in him, which is thought to be the man himself);"
This part is saying that a virtuous or "good" person is internally consistent. Their opinions, desires, and decisions all align—they pursue what is genuinely good and believe it to be good. They act on this desire not for external rewards, but out of a deeper personal dedication to their inner rationality or intellect. Aristotle sees this rational aspect, or intellectual element, as the true essence of a person—it's the core of who they really are. So, when a good person chooses to act, it reflects their alignment with their rational nature and their commitment to their own growth and goodness.
"and he wishes himself to live and be preserved, and especially the element by virtue of which he thinks. For existence is good to the virtuous man, and each man wishes himself what is good, while no one chooses to possess the whole world if he has first to become some one else (for that matter, even now God possesses the good); he wishes for this only on condition of being whatever he is; and the element that thinks would seem to be the individual man, or to be so more than any other element in him."
Aristotle is focusing on the virtuous person's fundamental relationship with themselves and their understanding of their own identity. Here's what he's saying:
The virtuous person values their life and existence, especially for the part of themselves that allows them to think and reason (the intellectual element). For Aristotle, this thinking, reasoning part of a person is what defines who they truly are—it’s the core of their identity.
He also points out that existence itself is inherently good for someone who is virtuous. A good person naturally wishes for their own well-being, which aligns with their desire to pursue what is truly good and right. However, Aristotle adds an important condition: no one would want to gain all the wealth or power in the world if it meant having to become someone else. The moral clarity and alignment with one’s true self are more important than any external gain.
In short, what makes life worth living for the virtuous person is being true to who they are, especially through their ability to think and reason. They prefer to preserve their own identity rather than trade it for anything else, even something as vast as the "whole world." For Aristotle, this reasoning ability is not just a part of a person—it’s the most essential part, the core of who a person truly is.
"And such a man wishes to live with himself; for he does so with pleasure, since the memories of his past acts are delightful and his hopes for the future are good, and therefore pleasant. His mind is well stored too with subjects of contemplation."
Aristotle is saying that a virtuous person, someone who is morally good and balanced, finds joy and satisfaction in their own company. Why? Because when they look back at their life, their memories bring them happiness—they’ve done good things, acted honorably, and lived in alignment with their values. These memories don’t provoke regret or guilt but instead foster a sense of pride and contentment.
Additionally, their outlook on the future is hopeful and positive. They expect good things to come because they’ve built their life on a foundation of virtue. Their thoughts, which often focus on meaningful and insightful topics, provide them with personal enjoyment and intellectual fulfillment. In short, the virtuous person finds their inner life rich and rewarding, making "living with oneself" an enjoyable experience.
"And he grieves and rejoices, more than any other, with himself; for the same thing is always painful, and the same thing always pleasant, and not one thing at one time and another at another; he has, so to speak, nothing to repent of."
Aristotle is saying that a virtuous person, someone who lives in harmony with their values and has a well-ordered mind, experiences a consistent emotional life. The good person feels joy or sorrow based on the same principles—they aren't pulled in conflicting directions or constantly shifting their perspective on what is right or wrong. This inner consistency means they don't feel regret for their actions, because their choices align with their moral character.
In simpler terms: a virtuous person doesn't have emotional ups and downs or second-guess their actions because they live in alignment with what they believe is good. Their clear and steady understanding of right and wrong leaves little space for guilt or regret. This stability allows them to grieve and rejoice with integrity, always grounded in the same set of ethical values.