Appetites Quote by Tim O'Reilly
“I've been deeply influenced by Aristotle's idea that virtue is a habit, something you practice and get better at, rather than something that comes naturally. 'The control of the appetites by right reason,' is how he defined it.”
About This Quote
Source Interview: TechCrunch Disrupt, 2015
Aristotle taught that virtue develops through repeated good actions, not innate talent, emphasizing disciplined habit formation.
In simple terms: Virtue is built by practice, not birth.
Key Takeaway
Practice good habits to develop virtue.
Themes
ethics
habit formation
self‑improvement
Mood
reflective
encouraging
Type
philosophical
self‑help
When to use this quote
- skill development
- leadership
- personal ethics
- education
Key Concepts
Aristotelian ethics
behavioral psychology
Questions to Reflect On
- Which habit would you start today?
- What obstacles hinder your practice?
A Different Perspective
Habits can be hard to sustain without support; not all virtues are equally valued.
