“. . . happiness is the highest good, being a realization and perfect practice of virtue, which some can attain, while others have little or none of it. . . .”
What this quote means
This quote by Aristotle establishes happiness as the ultimate goal of existence, but a goal that is earned through the practice of virtue. It is not an entitlement but a personal achievement that requires effort and excellence. Some attain it, others do not, which underscores the importance of our choices and moral commitment. It invites us to reflect on what we cultivate daily and to aim for a virtuous life rather than the mere pursuit of pleasures.
How to apply it daily
Examine one of your habits and ask yourself if it reflects your values; if not, replace it with a more virtuous action.
Reading guide
Which book should you read to discover Aristotle?
Our starting point
Reflecting on happiness, virtues, and the good life
Nicomachean Ethics
It is the richest text for understanding his ideas about habits, the mean, and flourishing.
- Level
- Demanding
- Reading time
- 10–14 hours
- Formats to compare
- Print · Ebook · Audio
Merchant links help compare editions. Recommendations are editorially independent.
Continue
Related quotes
Same author or same theme — keep reading.
“Life is a tragedy when seen in close-up, but a comedy in long-shot.”Create visual
“Courage is the most important of all the virtues because without courage, you can't practice any other virtue consistently.”Create visual
“To live is the rarest thing in the world. Most people exist, that is all.”Create visual
“This is the best of all possible worlds.”Create visual
“Music is the pleasure the human mind experiences from counting without being aware that it is counting.”Create visual
“He who understands the universe as a whole understands it as the best of all possible worlds.”Create visual
More quotes by Aristotle
“If at first you don't succeed, dust yourself off and try again. - Aaliyah (song lyrics) -% 0r You are what you repeatedly do. Excellence is not an event - it is a habit.”Create visual
“Happiness depends upon ourselves .”Create visual
“Happiness is a state of activity.”Create visual
“If happiness is activity in accordance with excellence, it is reasonable that it should be in accordance with the highest excellence.”Create visual