"Justice is meant for people who live together and must share what is good. It is the virtue that keeps society fair and balanced."
-The Nichomachean Ethics - For Everyone, Aristotle, Kindle Edition, pg. 80
"Justice in a society is called political justice. It only exists among free and equal people who live under laws.
Laws are necessary because they:
• Create clear rules for fairness.
• Prevent rulers from abusing power."
-The Nichomachean Ethics - For Everyone, Aristotle, Kindle Edition, pg. 84
"Distributive Justice: Fair Sharing Based on Merit
Justice is about fairness, but what does that really mean? Many people believe justice means equality, but that’s not always the case.
Justice is about fair balance, not just equality. It ensures that people receive what they truly deserve, based on their contributions. If two people differ in merit, treating them the same may actually be unfair.
Problems arise when:
• Equals are treated unequally.
• Unequals are treated the same.
This is where distributive justice comes in. It ensures that rewards are given fairly based on what people contribute.
In justice, fairness is about balance. People get rewards based on what they’ve contributed. This is called geometrical proportion. It means the ratio of people matches the ratio of what they receive."
-The Nichomachean Ethics - For Everyone, Aristotle, Kindle Edition, pg. 80
“The Importance of Balance in Social Life
Friendliness, truthfulness, and humor are vital traits in how we connect with others.
• Friendliness is about being kind but not fake.
• Truthfulness is about being honest but not boastful.
• A good sense of humor makes life fun, but it should never be used to hurt others.
In all social situations, the best person is the one who finds the right balance - not too much and not too little of each virtue.”
-The Nichomachean Ethics - For Everyone, Aristotle, Kindle Edition, pg. 75
“People admire ambitious people for their boldness and drive for greatness. They also value unambitious people for their humility. Because of this, ambition can seem good or bad, depending on the situation.
The problem is that the virtue between ambition and lack of ambition doesn’t have a clear name. That’s why people sometimes argue whether ambition is good or bad. But like all virtues, there must be a middle ground—a balanced way to pursue honor.
A person with the right amount of ambition doesn’t crave honor too much but also doesn’t ignore it when they deserve it. This balance may seem slightly ambitious or slightly unambitious at times, but it is the right way to live.”
-The Nichomachean Ethics - For Everyone, Aristotle, Kindle Edition, pg. 71-72
“What Is Pride?
Pride is the virtue of recognizing one’s true worth and claiming what is rightfully deserved—neither more nor less. A truly proud person believes they deserve great things, and they actually do. A vain person asks for more than they deserve. A humble person, on the other hand, deserves greatness but won’t acknowledge it.
The proud person stands between these two extremes. They aim high but stay balanced, accepting only the honor that matches their true worth.”
-The Nichomachean Ethics - For Everyone, Aristotle, Kindle Edition, pg. 69-70
“In the end, magnificence is about spending money in a way that leaves a lasting, positive impact.”
-The Nichomachean Ethics - For Everyone, Aristotle, Kindled Edition, pg. 69
“The Difference Between Magnificence, Generosity, and Wastefulness
A magnificent person is always generous, but not all generous people are magnificent. Generosity means giving with care. Magnificence, on the other hand, is about spending in a grand way that inspires awe.
A generous person might give money to a local school. This helps buy supplies so students have what they need. This is admirable, but it is not magnificent.
A magnificent person, however, might fund a new school building. It would have an inspiring design and a lasting impact. Their spending is not just helpful—it is extraordinary and fitting for their means.”
-The Nichomachean Ethics - For Everyone, Aristotle, Kindle Edition, pg. 66-67
“What Is Magnificence?
Magnificence is a virtue of grand and meaningful spending. Generosity is for everyday gifts. Magnificence is all about investing in important things in a big way. This includes public works and grand celebrations.
A magnificent person spends money in a way that is grand and fitting for the occasion. What counts as "grand" depends on the situation:
Paying for a warship is much more expensive than organizing a festival, but both can be magnificent if done properly. What matters is not just how much is spent, but how wisely and beautifully it is spent.
Someone who spends wisely on small things isn’t called magnificent—that word is for people who spend well on big things.”
-The Nichomachean Ethics - For Everyone, Aristotle, Kindle Edition, pg. 66-67
