Authors: A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

100 Enlightening Quotes By Aristotle That Will Help You Understand Life Better

Famous As: One of the Greatest Philosophers and the First Genuine Scientist in History
Born On: 384 AD
Died On: 322 AD
Born In: Stagira, Greece
Died At Age: -62

The Greek philosopher and scientist Aristotle was a prolific writer and polymath who made tremendous contributions to a wide number of fields including mathematics, physics, biology, botany, medicine, logic, metaphysics, ethics, politics, agriculture, dance and theatre. A major figure in ancient Greek philosophy, he was a student of Plato’s and even more empirically-minded than his teacher. Regarded as one of the greatest intellectual figures of Western history, Aristotle founded the first comprehensive system of Western philosophy and his teachings greatly influenced Judeo-Islamic philosophical and theological thought during the Middle Ages and continue to interest scholars to the present day. Over his lifetime, the great philosopher is credited to have written as many as 200 treatises, of which only 31 survive. From what remains of his original words, we have compiled a collection of quotations by Aristotle that make a small portion of his wisdom accessible to the readers in the contemporary world.

Knowing yourself is the beginning of all wisdom.

Knowing yourself is the beginning of all wisdom.

Aristotle
It is the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it.

It is the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it.

Aristotle
What is a friend? A single soul dwelling in two bodies.

What is a friend? A single soul dwelling in two bodies.

Aristotle
Hope is a waking dream.

Hope is a waking dream.

Aristotle
Happiness depends upon ourselves.

Happiness depends upon ourselves.

Aristotle
Educating the mind without educating the heart is no education at all.

Educating the mind without educating the heart is no education at all.

Aristotle
No great mind has ever existed without a touch of madness.

No great mind has ever existed without a touch of madness.

Aristotle
Wishing to be friends is quick work, but friendship is a slow ripening fruit.

Wishing to be friends is quick work, but friendship is a slow ripening fruit.

Aristotle
Happiness is the meaning and the purpose of life, the whole aim and end of human existence.

Happiness is the meaning and the purpose of life, the whole aim and end of human existence.

Aristotle
To avoid criticism say nothing, do nothing, be nothing.

To avoid criticism say nothing, do nothing, be nothing.

Aristotle
A friend to all is a friend to none.

A friend to all is a friend to none.

Aristotle
Patience is bitter, but its fruit is sweet.

Patience is bitter, but its fruit is sweet.

Aristotle
Those who educate children well are more to be honored than they who produce them; for these only gave them life, those the art of living well.

Those who educate children well are more to be honored than they who produce them; for these only gave them life, those the art of living well.

Aristotle
To perceive is to suffer.

To perceive is to suffer.

Aristotle
He who has overcome his fears will truly be free.

He who has overcome his fears will truly be free.

Aristotle
The educated differ from the uneducated as much as the living differ from the dead.

The educated differ from the uneducated as much as the living differ from the dead.

Aristotle
Those who know, do. Those that understand, teach.

Those who know, do. Those that understand, teach.

Aristotle
Whosoever is delighted in solitude, is either a wild beast or a god.

Whosoever is delighted in solitude, is either a wild beast or a god.

Aristotle
I count him braver who overcomes his desires than him who conquers his enemies, for the hardest victory is over self.

I count him braver who overcomes his desires than him who conquers his enemies, for the hardest victory is over self.

Aristotle
The antidote for fifty enemies is one friend.

The antidote for fifty enemies is one friend.

Aristotle
The aim of art is to represent not the outward appearance of things, but their inward significance.

The aim of art is to represent not the outward appearance of things, but their inward significance.

Aristotle
Poverty is the parent of revolution and crime.

Poverty is the parent of revolution and crime.

Aristotle
It is not enough to win a war; it is more important to organize the peace.

It is not enough to win a war; it is more important to organize the peace.

Aristotle
The high-minded man must care more for the truth than for what people think.

The high-minded man must care more for the truth than for what people think.

Aristotle
Pleasure in the job puts perfection in the work.

Pleasure in the job puts perfection in the work.

Aristotle
Learning is not child's play; we cannot learn without pain.

Learning is not child's play; we cannot learn without pain.

Aristotle
I have gained this by philosophy … I do without being ordered what some are constrained to do by their fear of the law.

I have gained this by philosophy … I do without being ordered what some are constrained to do by their fear of the law.

Aristotle
One swallow does not make a summer,
neither does one fine day; 
similarly one day or brief time of happiness does not make a person entirely happy.

One swallow does not make a summer, neither does one fine day; similarly one day or brief time of happiness does not make a person entirely happy.

Aristotle
To write well, express yourself like the common people, but think like a wise man.

To write well, express yourself like the common people, but think like a wise man.

Aristotle
All human actions have one or more of these seven causes: chance, nature, compulsion, habit, reason, passion, and desire.

All human actions have one or more of these seven causes: chance, nature, compulsion, habit, reason, passion, and desire.

Aristotle