Book 9 / Chapter 6
Paragraph 2 - Unanimity Among Good and Bad Men
Explanation - Part By Part
"Now such unanimity is found among good men; for they are unanimous both in themselves and with one another, being, so to say, of one mind (for the wishes of such men are constant and not at the mercy of opposing currents like a strait of the sea), and they wish for what is just and what is advantageous, and these are the objects of their common endeavour as well."
Aristotle is explaining that true and stable unanimity is something that exists among virtuous or "good" people. These individuals are described as being "of one mind," meaning they are internally consistent in their values and desires, and they align harmoniously with others who share the same moral character. Unlike things easily swayed by external forces—like a narrow strait of the sea that's disturbed by opposing currents—their convictions are steady and not easily influenced by conflicting pressures.
Furthermore, good people aim for what is just (fair, ethical) and advantageous (beneficial for everyone involved)—both for their own lives and for the community they are part of. Since these desires are shared, their efforts naturally align toward these common goals, creating a harmonious and unified pursuit of the right and the good.
"But bad men cannot be unanimous except to a small extent, any more than they can be friends, since they aim at getting more than their share of advantages, while in labour and public service they fall short of their share; and each man wishing for advantage to himself criticizes his neighbour and stands in his way; for if people do not watch it carefully the common weal is soon destroyed."
Aristotle argues that "bad men" are incapable of true unanimity or unity because they are driven by selfishness. They desire more benefits than what is fair or what they deserve, while simultaneously avoiding their fair share of responsibilities, whether it's participating in communal work or serving the public good. These selfish tendencies lead to competition and conflict—each person criticizes or undermines others to secure personal advantage. Without a shared commitment to fairness and justice, the well-being of the group, or the "common weal," quickly begins to disintegrate. Self-interest, when unchecked, erodes the foundations of any collective harmony.
"The result is that they are in a state of faction, putting compulsion on each other but unwilling themselves to do what is just."
In this part, Aristotle explains how people who are not virtuous—or "bad men," as he calls them—fail to achieve true harmony or cooperation. Instead of working together for the greater good or acting fairly, they get caught up in conflict (a state of faction). Why? Because each person prioritizes their own self-interest over fairness, trying to gain more benefits for themselves while avoiding their responsibilities or contributions.
This behavior leads to tension and mistrust, where everyone is forcing or pressuring others (putting compulsion on each other) to act a certain way, yet none of them are genuinely willing to do what is morally right (what is just). Essentially, they undermine any chance of unity and work against the shared good because they're focused on their own selfish gains. This observation highlights how justice and mutual effort are critical for productive cooperation and societal well-being.