“What it lies in our power to do, it lies in our power not do.”
What this quote means
Aristotle's words highlight our free will. They remind us that if we have the power to do something, we also have the power to refrain from doing it. This capacity for choice is the foundation of moral responsibility. We are not mere spectators of our lives but actors who decide. It invites us to think before acting and to take full responsibility for our decisions, because we could have acted differently.
How to apply it daily
Before acting, ask yourself: 'Do I really want to do this?' If you have the power to do it, acknowledge that you also have the power not to do it.
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.
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