Aristotle
384–322 BC · Greek
About Aristotle
Aristotle, one of the most influential philosophers in Western history, believed the purpose of human life is eudaimonia — a state of flourishing achieved through the practice of virtue. Unlike his teacher Plato, Aristotle grounded his philosophy in observation of the natural world and practical wisdom. In the Nicomachean Ethics, he argued that happiness is not a feeling but an activity of the soul in accordance with excellence. His vision of the good life — balanced, rational, and community-oriented — remains a cornerstone of ethical thought.
Quotes by Aristotle
"Happiness is the meaning and the purpose of life, the whole aim and end of human existence."
"Knowing yourself is the beginning of all wisdom."
"We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit."
"The roots of education are bitter, but the fruit is sweet."
"It is the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it."