Book 9 / Chapter 4
Paragraph 5 - The Necessity of Avoiding Wickedness for Friendship
Explanation - Part By Part
"Therefore the bad man does not seem to be amicably disposed even to himself, because there is nothing in him to love;"
Aristotle is saying that a "bad man" (a morally corrupt or wicked person) cannot even have a positive, friendly relationship with himself because he lacks anything within himself that is lovable or worthy of respect. In simpler terms, if someone is full of moral flaws or harmful actions, they are likely to dislike or be at odds with their own inner self, as there’s nothing admirable in their character for them to value or appreciate.
"so that if to be thus is the height of wretchedness, we should strain every nerve to avoid wickedness"
Aristotle is making a powerful point here: he is emphasizing that being morally corrupt or "wicked" leads to a profound unhappiness and internal turmoil. The "height of wretchedness" refers to the utter misery of living in such a state—a life where a person is at odds with themselves, incapable of self-love, and burdened by regret. Because of the immense suffering that wickedness brings, Aristotle urges us to put our full effort—"strain every nerve"—into avoiding such a life. This means dedicating ourselves fully to becoming virtuous (morally good) because only by living a virtuous life can we achieve inner unity, self-love, and the ability to connect meaningfully with others.
"and should endeavour to be good; for so and only so can one be either friendly to oneself or a friend to another."
Aristotle is stressing an essential idea: to truly have a good relationship with others—or even with ourselves—we must strive to be good. He is saying that personal goodness or virtue is the foundation for healthy relationships, both internally (with yourself) and externally (with others).
In simpler terms, if you are not a virtuous or ethical person, you will struggle to like yourself because deep down, you recognize there’s nothing truly worthy of love or respect within you. Similarly, if you cannot be "friendly to yourself," meaning you’re at peace with your own character and actions, you cannot form authentic, meaningful friendships with others. This is why Aristotle emphasizes that becoming a good person is so important—it transforms not only your relationship with yourself but also your ability to connect with others in a deep and genuine way.