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About this quote

What does it mean?
Vices either fall short or go beyond what is right in feelings and actions, while virtue finds and chooses the middle ground.
In plain terms
Virtue is the middle path between too little and too much.
What can you take from it?
Seek the middle ground in actions and feelings.

Where it applies

  • personal conduct
  • emotional regulation
  • moral reasoning

Putting it to work

  • avoid extremes
  • practice moderation
  • evaluate choices

Questions to consider

  • What is the right amount?
  • Where does virtue lie?

Another view

Finding the right middle can be context dependent.

More from Aristotle

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  3. It is well said, then, that it is by doing just acts that the just man is produced, and by doing temperate acts the temperate man; without doing these no one w…

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