--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: If a man of good natural disposition…" description: "\"If a man of good natural disposition acquires Intelligence [as a whole], then he excels in conduct, and the disposition which previously only resembled..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/89e/aristotle-78_acquire_if-a-man-of-good-natural-disposition-acq_342320.jpg" --- # If a man of good natural disposition acquires Intelligence… ![“If a man of good natural disposition acquires Intelligence [as a whole], then he excels in conduct, and the disposition which previously only resembled Virtue, will now be Virtue in the true sense. Hence just as with the faculty of forming opinions [the calculative faculty] there are two…” quote by Aristotle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/89e/aristotle-78_acquire_if-a-man-of-good-natural-disposition-acq_342320.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/89e/aristotle-78_acquire_if-a-man-of-good-natural-disposition-acq_342320.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/89e/aristotle-78_acquire_if-a-man-of-good-natural-disposition-acq_342320.jpg) > “If a man of good natural disposition acquires Intelligence \[as a whole\], then he excels in conduct, and the disposition which previously only resembled Virtue, will now be Virtue in the true sense. Hence just as with the faculty of forming opinions \[the calculative faculty\] there are two qualities, Cleverness and Prudence, so also in the moral part of the soul there are two qualities, natural virtue and true Virtue; and true Virtue cannot exist without Prudence.” [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. True virtue arises when natural disposition combines with prudence, turning good intentions into genuine moral excellence. **In simple terms:** Virtue needs both character and wise judgment. Key Takeaway Cultivate both character and prudence. Themes virtue prudence character development Mood reflective thoughtful Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - leadership decisions - ethical dilemmas - personal growth - education - policy making Key Concepts moral philosophy human flourishing Questions to Reflect On - How do you practice prudence daily? - Can you identify a moment when prudence turned a good intention into true virtue? A Different Perspective Without prudence, natural goodness remains incomplete. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Forming opinions](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/forming-opinions/) [Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men/) [Moral](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/moral/) [Nature](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nature/) [Opinion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/opinion/) [Prudence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/prudence/) [Quality](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/quality/) [Soul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/soul/) [Virtue](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/virtue/) ## Related quotes > [Prudence as well as Moral Virtue determines the complete performance of a man's proper function: Virtue ensures the rightness of the end we aim…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aristotle/prudence-as-well-as-moral-virtue-determines-the-complete-performance/) [Aristotle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aristotle/) > [ \[Prudence\] is the virtue of that part of the intellect \[the calculative\] to which it belongs; and . . . our choice of actions… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aristotle/prudence-is-the-virtue-of-that-part-of-the-intellect-the-calculative/) [Aristotle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aristotle/) > [It's a natural disposition for me to become muse-like in a relationship.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roisin-murphy/it-s-a-natural-disposition-for-me-to-become-muse-like-in-a/) [Roisin Murphy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roisin-murphy/) > [The natural disposition of most people is to clothe a commander of a large army whom they do not know, with almost superhuman abilities.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-natural-disposition-of-most-people-is-to-clothe-a-commander-of-a/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“In the Age of Perfect Virtue, men lived among the animals and birds as members of one large family. 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