--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Moral virtue is a mean . . . between two…" description: "\"Moral virtue is a mean . . . between two vices, one of excess and the other of defect; . . . it is such a mean because it aims at hitting the middle po..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/351/aristotle-78_action_moral-virtue-is-a-mean-between-two-vices_615470.png" --- # Moral virtue is a mean . . . between two vices, one of… ![“Moral virtue is a mean . . . between two vices, one of excess and the other of defect; . . . it is such a mean because it aims at hitting the middle point in feelings and in actions. This is why it is a hard task to be good, for it is hard to find the middle point in anything.” quote by Aristotle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/351/aristotle-78_action_moral-virtue-is-a-mean-between-two-vices_615470.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/351/aristotle-78_action_moral-virtue-is-a-mean-between-two-vices_615470.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/351/aristotle-78_action_moral-virtue-is-a-mean-between-two-vices_615470.png) > “Moral virtue is a mean . . . between two vices, one of excess and the other of defect; . . . it is such a mean because it aims at hitting the middle point in feelings and in actions. This is why it is a hard task to be good, for it is hard to find the middle point in anything.” [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. Virtue lies between excess and deficiency, requiring careful judgment to find the balanced middle in feelings and actions. **In simple terms:** Goodness is a balanced middle. Key Takeaway Seek moderation in habits and decisions. Themes ethics balance self‑control Mood thoughtful inquisitive Type philosophical educational When to use this quote - daily choices - leadership - conflict resolution Key Concepts virtue ethics golden mean Questions to Reflect On - What areas of your life need more balance? - How do you identify excess versus deficiency? A Different Perspective Finding the mean can be ambiguous and culturally variable. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Action](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/action/) [Character](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/character/) [Defects](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/defects/) [Excess](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/excess/) [Feelings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/feelings/) [Moral](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/moral/) [Moral virtues](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/moral-virtues/) [Vices](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/vices/) [Virtue](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/virtue/) ## Related quotes > [Moral virtue is ... a mean between two vices, that of excess and that of defect, and ... it is no small task to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aristotle/moral-virtue-is-a-mean-between-two-vices-that-of-excess-and-that-of/) [Aristotle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aristotle/) > [If then, as we say, good craftsmen look to the mean as they work, and if virtue, like nature, is more accurate and better…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aristotle/if-then-as-we-say-good-craftsmen-look-to-the-mean-as-they-work-and-if/) [Aristotle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aristotle/) > [Virtue is the golden mean between two vices, the one of excess and the other of deficiency.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aristotle/virtue-is-the-golden-mean-between-two-vices-the-one-of-excess-and-the/) [Aristotle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aristotle/) > [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/) > [We assume therefore that moral virtue is the quality of acting in the best way in relation to pleasures and pains, and that vice…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aristotle/we-assume-therefore-that-moral-virtue-is-the-quality-of-acting-in-the/) [Aristotle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aristotle/) > [ \[the virtues\] cannot exist without Prudence. 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