There are, then, three states of mind ... two vices--that…
“There are, then, three states of mind ... two vices--that of excess, and that of defect; and one virtue--the mean; and all these are in a certain sense opposed to one another; for the extremes are not only opposed to the mean, but also to one another; and the mean is opposed to the extremes.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Virtue lies between two extremes; excess and deficiency are vices, the mean is the virtue.
In simple terms: Balance is key; avoid extremes.
Key Takeaway
Seek the moderate path.
Themes
ethics
balance
virtue
extremes
Mood
thoughtful
inquisitive
Type
philosophical
educational
When to use this quote
- decision making
- personal development
- leadership
- conflict resolution
Key Concepts
golden mean
moral philosophy
self‑control
Questions to Reflect On
- When have you faced excess vs. deficiency?
- What guides your sense of the mean?
A Different Perspective
Finding the mean can be ambiguous in practice.