Character Quote by Nomy Arpaly
“Moral virtues and intellectual virtues are very different from each other, and moral virtue has to do with motivation, not cognition. Moral virtue requires a human level of intelligence, but it doesn't require that one be an intelligent human.”
About This Quote
Source Book: “Moral Psychology” by Nomy Arpaly, 2009
Moral virtue depends on motives, not just intellect; one can be moral without being highly intelligent.
In simple terms: Morality is about why you act, not how smart you are.
Key Takeaway
Cultivate good intentions.
Themes
morality
motivation
intelligence
Mood
thoughtful
analytical
Type
philosophical
ethical
When to use this quote
- education
- leadership
- ethical decision‑making
Key Concepts
ethics
philosophy
Questions to Reflect On
- What motivates your actions?
- Can a smart person be immoral?
A Different Perspective
Intelligence can aid moral reasoning.
![“Rightness in our choice of an end is secured by [Moral] Virtue.” quote by Aristotle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/498/aristotle-78_character_rightness-in-our-choice-of-an-end-is-sec_2740950.jpg)
![“If then, as we say, good craftsmen look to the mean as they work, and if virtue, like nature, is more accurate and better than any form of art, it will follow that virtue has the quality of hitting the mean. I refer to moral virtue [not intellectual], for this is concerned with emotions and…” quote by Aristotle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/796/aristotle-78_accurate_if-then-as-we-say-good-craftsmen-look-to_695282.jpg)
