Book 2
20
And since the intellectual excellences involve reason, these forms of goodness belong to the rational part, which as having reason is in command of the spirit; whereas the moral virtues belong to the part that is irrational but by nature capable of following the rational—for in stating a man’s moral qualities we do not say that he is wise or clever but that he is gentle or rash.
21
After this we must first consider Moral Goodness—its essence and the nature of its divisions (for that is the subject now arrived at), and the means by which it is produced. Our method of inquiry then must be that employed by all people in other matters when they have something in hand to start with—we must endeavor by means of statements that are true but not clearly expressed to arrive at a result that is both true and clear.
22
For our present state is as if we knew that health is the best disposition of the body and that CoriscusCf. Aristot. Eud. Eth. 1240b 25 n. is the darkest man in the market-place;for that is not to know what health is and who Coriscus is, but nevertheless to be in that state is a help towards knowing each of these things.—
23
Then let it first be taken as granted that the best disposition is produced by the best means, and that the best actions in each department of conduct result from the excellences belonging to each department—for example, it is the best exercises and food that produce a good condition of body, and a good condition of body enables men to do the best work;
