Aristotle, (384-322 BC) Greek philosopher Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Comment on this quote Share via Email Print this Page [1-26] of 26 Aristotle quotesAristotle QuotesAristotle A democracy is a government in the hands of men of low birth, no property, and vulgar employments.~ Aristotle Dignity does not come in possessing honors, but in deserving them.~ Aristotle For man, when perfected, is the best of animals, but, when separated from law and justice, he is the worst of all; since armed injustice is the more dangerous, and he is equipped at birth with the arms of intelligence and with moral qualities which he may use for the worst ends.~ Aristotle The high-minded man must care more for the truth than for what people think.~ Aristotle The least initial deviation from the truth is multiplied later a thousandfold.~ Aristotle To the size of the state there is a limit, as there is to plants, animals and implements, for none of these retain their facility when they are too large.~ Aristotle The least initial deviation from the truth is multiplied later a thousandfold.~ Aristotle Both Oligarch and Tyrant mistrust the people, and therefore deprive them of arms.~ Aristotle Democracy arose from men thinking that if they are equal in any respect they are equal in all respects.~ Aristotle Man is by nature a political animal.~ Aristotle It makes no difference whether a good man has defrauded a bad man, or a bad man defrauded a good man, or whether a good or bad man has committed adultery: the law can look only to the amount of damage done.~ Aristotle A tyrant must put on the appearance of uncommon devotion to religion. Subjects are less apprehensive of illegal treatment from a ruler whom they consider god-fearing and pious.~ Aristotle What is common to many is least taken care of, for all men have greater regard for what is their own than what they possess in common with others.~ Aristotle Men regard it as their right to return evil for evil -- and if they cannot, feel they have lost their liberty.~ Aristotle It is the greatest inequality to try to make unequal things equal.~ Aristotle The three aims of the tyrant are, one, the humiliation of his subjects; he knows that a mean-spirited man will not conspire against anybody; two, the creation of mistrust among them; for a tyrant is not to be overthrown until men begin to have confidence in one another -- and this is the reason why tyrants are at war with the good; they are under the idea that their power is endangered by them, not only because they will not be ruled despotically, but also because they are too loyal to one another and to other men, and do not inform against one another or against other men -- three, the tyrant desires that all his subjects shall be incapable of action, for no one attempts what is impossible and they will not attempt to overthrow a tyranny if they are powerless.~ Aristotle Education is the best provision for old age.~ Aristotle It is the mark of an educated man to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it.~ Aristotle We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence then is not an act but a habit~ Aristotle If liberty and equality, as is thought by some are chiefly to be found in democracy, they will be best attained when all persons alike share in the government to the utmost.~ Aristotle He who is unable to live in society, or who has no need because he is sufficient for himself, must be either a beast or a god.~ Aristotle The trade of the petty usurer is hated with most reason: it makes a profit from currency itself, instead of making it from the process which currency was meant to serve. Their common characteristic is obviously their sordid avarice.~ Aristotle We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act but a habit.~ Aristotle The basis of a democratic state is liberty.~ Aristotle Dignity consists not in possessing honors, but in the consciousness that we deserve them.~ Aristotle The end of labor is to gain leisure.~ Aristotle Share on Facebook Tweet Email Print