--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: for we are inquiring not in order to know…" description: "\"for we are inquiring not in order to know what virtue is, but in order to become good, since otherwise our inquiry would have been of no use\" — Aristotle" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7f7/aristotle-78_character_for-we-are-inquiring-not-in-order-to-kno_776861.png" --- # for we are inquiring not in order to know what virtue is… ![“for we are inquiring not in order to know what virtue is, but in order to become good, since otherwise our inquiry would have been of no use” quote by Aristotle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7f7/aristotle-78_character_for-we-are-inquiring-not-in-order-to-kno_776861.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7f7/aristotle-78_character_for-we-are-inquiring-not-in-order-to-kno_776861.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7f7/aristotle-78_character_for-we-are-inquiring-not-in-order-to-kno_776861.png) > “for we are inquiring not in order to know what virtue is, but in order to become good, since otherwise our inquiry would have been of no use” [Aristotle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aristotle/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Inquiry should aim at moral improvement, not just abstract knowledge. **In simple terms:** Seek virtue to become good, not just to know it. Key Takeaway Pursue ethical growth over mere intellectual curiosity. Themes virtue ethics education Mood thoughtful inspirational Type philosophical educational When to use this quote - personal growth - teaching - leadership development Key Concepts moral development practical wisdom Questions to Reflect On - What virtues do you practice daily? - How can you turn knowledge into good deeds? A Different Perspective Pure knowledge without action is empty. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Character](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/character/) [Inquiry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inquiry/) [Order](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/order/) [Philosophical](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/philosophical/) [Virtue](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/virtue/) ## Related quotes > [The purpose of the present study is not as it is in other inquiries, the attainment of knowledge, we are not conducting this inquiry…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aristotle/the-purpose-of-the-present-study-is-not-as-it-is-in-other-inquiries/) [Aristotle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aristotle/) > [Moderation is represented as a virtue in order to restrain the ambition of great men, and to console those of a meaner condition in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francois-de-la-rochefoucauld/moderation-is-represented-as-a-virtue-in-order-to-restrain-the/) [Francois de La Rochefoucauld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francois-de-la-rochefoucauld/) > [To know what virtue is is not enough; we must endeavor to possess and to practice it, or in some other manner actually ourselves…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aristotle/to-know-what-virtue-is-is-not-enough-we-must-endeavor-to-possess-and/) [Aristotle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aristotle/) > [In practical matters the end is not mere speculative knowledge of what is to be done, but rather the doing of it. 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