Aristotle Quotes about Evil

It is our choice of good or evil that determines our character, not our opinion about good or evil.

It is our choice of good or evil that determines our character, not our opinion about good or evil.

Character, Evil, Choices

Aristotle (1996). “The Nicomachean Ethics”, p.58, Wordsworth Editions

Every man should be responsible to others, nor should any one be allowed to do just as he pleases; for where absolute freedom is allowed, there is nothing to restrain the evil which is inherent in every man.

Aristotle

Men, Evil, Human Nature

Aristotle (2013). “The Essential Aristotle”, p.356, Simon and Schuster

In bad or corrupted natures the body will often appear to rule over the soul, because they are in an evil and unnatural condition. At all events we may firstly observe in living creatures both a despotical and a constitutional rule; for the soul rules the body with a despotical rule, whereas the intellect rules the appetites with a constitutional and royal rule. And it is clear that the rule of the soul over the body, and of the mind and the rational element over the passionate, is natural and expedient; whereas the equality of the two or the rule of the inferior is always hurtful.

Aristotle

Two, Evil, Soul

Aristotle, (2016). “Aristotle's Politics: Writings from the Complete Works: Politics, Economics, Constitution of Athens”, p.7, Princeton University Press

For good is simple, evil manifold.

Aristotle

Simple, Evil, Manifold

Aristotle (1971). “On Man in the Universe”

Evil draws men together.

Aristotle

Men, Evil, Together

And it is characteristic of man that he alone has any sense of good and evil, of just and unjust, and the like, and the association of living beings who have this sense makes family and a state.

Aristotle

Men, Evil, Unjust

Aristotle (2016). “Politics”, p.16, Aristotle

The generality of men are naturally apt to be swayed by fear rather than reverence, and to refrain from evil rather because of the punishment that it brings than because of its own foulness.

Aristotle

Fear, Men, Evil

Aristotle (1885). “The Nicomachean Ethics”, p.185, Jazzybee Verlag

Evils draw men together.

Aristotle

Men, Evil, Together

Aristotle, Aeterna Press (2015). “Rhetoric”, p.43, Aeterna Press

Aristotle said: "Evil brings men together."

Aristotle

Men, Evil, Hatred

"Fictional character: Jason Gideon". "Criminal Minds". Season 2, Episode 13: "No Way Out", January 17, 2007.

We must as second best, as people say, take the least of the evils.

Aristotle

People, Evil, Second Best

Aristotle (1983). “Pocket Aristotle”, p.196, Simon and Schuster

...perhaps there is some element of good even in the simple act of living, so long as the evils of existence do not preponderate too heavily.

Aristotle

Simple, Long, Evil

Aristotle (1963). “The Politics of Aristotle”

Not every action or emotion however admits of the observance of a due mean. Indeed the very names of some directly imply evil, for instance malice, shamelessness, envy, and, of actions, adultery, theft, murder. All these and similar actions and feelings are blamed as being bad in themselves; it is not the excess or deficiency of them that we blame. It is impossible therefore ever to go right in regard to them - one must always be wrong.

Aristotle

Mean, Names, Evil

The majority of mankind would seem to be beguiled into error by pleasure, which, not being really a good, yet seems to be so. So that they indiscriminately choose as good whatsoever gives them pleasure, while they avoid all pain alike as evil.

Aristotle

Pain, Errors, Evil

Aristotle (1869). “The Nicomachean Ethics of Aristotle”, p.74

Youth should stay away from all evil, especially things that produce wickedness and ill-will.

Aristotle

Parenting, Ill Will, Evil

For the lesser evil is reckoned a good in comparison with the greater evil, since the lesser evil is rather to be chosen than the greater. .

Aristotle

Evil, Chosen, Greater

Aristotle, (2014). “Complete Works of Aristotle, Volume 2: The Revised Oxford Translation”, p.1786, Princeton University Press

Men regard it as their right to return evil for evil and, if they cannot, feel they have lost their liberty.

Aristotle

Revenge, Men, Evil

Aristotle (1953). “Ethics: The Nicomachean Ethics”

The government of freemen is nobler and implies more virtue than despotic government. Neither is a city to be deemed happy or a legislator to be praised because he trains his citizens to conquer and obtain dominion over their neighbors, for there is great evil in this.

Aristotle

Government, Cities, Evil

Aristotle (2013). “The Essential Aristotle”, p.383, Simon and Schuster

Aristotle Quotes about Evil

You May Also Like: