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If ... we state the function of man to be a certain kind of life, and this to be an activity or actions of the soul implying a rational principle, and the function of a good man to be the good and noble performance of these, and if any action is well performed when it is performed in accordance with the appropriate excellence ... human good turns out to be activity of the soul in accordance with virtue, and if there are more than one virtue, in accordance with the best and most complete.

Aristotle#44

EthicsVirtueHappinessExcellenceSoul

About this quote

What does it mean?
Human good is activity of the soul according to virtue, especially the best virtues when multiple exist.
In plain terms
Human good is living by the best virtues.
What can you take from it?
Align life with the best and most complete virtues.

Where it applies

  • life planning
  • ethical conduct
  • self-improvement

Putting it to work

  • prioritize highest virtues
  • evaluate your actions
  • seek completeness in virtue

Questions to consider

  • Which virtues are best?
  • Can we live all virtues perfectly?

Another view

It presumes we can clearly identify the best virtues.

More from Aristotle

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  2. One swallow does not make a summer, nor does one day; and so too one day, or a short time, does not make a man blessed and happy.

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