Aristotle was a Greek philosopher during the Classical period in Ancient Greece. He was a student of Plato. He founded the Lyceum, the Peripatetic school of philosophy, and the Aristotelian tradition. Aristotle provided a complex synthesis of the various philosophies existing prior to him. He is considered by many to be one of the most important philosophers of history and his influences are far-reaching.
Little is known about his life. Aristotle was born in the city of Stagira in Northern Greece. His works contain the earliest known formal study of logic. Aristotle’s influence on logic also continued well into the 19th century. He has covered numerous topics including physics, biology, logic, mathematics, government, socio-politics, and numerous others.
1 It is the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it. -Aristotle
Great minds do not accept everything without a second thought. They evaluate every aspect of an idea before accepting it. And if the idea contradicts logic and reason they reject it without any regret.
2 Happiness is the meaning and the purpose of life, the whole aim and end of human existence. -Aristotle
Human existence revolves around happiness. We strive to be happy. We live our lives with the aim to experience joy and happiness. That is the whole purpose of our lives because, in the end, that is what adds meaning to our lives.
3 No great mind has ever existed without a touch of madness. -Aristotle
Great minds always come with their share of madness. They never shy away from trying out what others consider crazy. Greatness is, after all, achieved only when one dares to be crazy.
4 I count him braver who overcomes his desires than him who conquers his enemies, for the hardest victory is over self. -Aristotle
It takes a lot of courage to overcome our desires. Our own self is our biggest enemy and our greatest friend. The one who learns to conquer himself has the capability to emerge victorious through any ordeal.
5 The high-minded man must care more for the truth than for what people think. -Aristotle
The average person is overly self-conscious because he thinks too much of what others think of him. While the ones with a greater intellect pay no heed to what others think about him. To him, it is only the truth that matters. Truth reigns supreme because that is what the universe and everything in it are built upon.
6 Wishing to be friends is quick work, but friendship is a slow ripening fruit. -Aristotle
Friendships are not built overnight. They have to go through many challenges and roadblocks to be built strong. The strongest bonds are those which have survived the longest and through the greatest challenges.
7 Learning is not child’s play, we cannot learn without pain. -Aristotle
Pain is the greatest teacher. The most important lessons in life are taught to us when we walk through paths of suffering and pain. We cannot learn anything without having to experience pain, may it be when we are learning to walk or when we are learning to live.
8 Criticism is something we can avoid easily by saying nothing, doing nothing, and being nothing. -Aristotle
The only way for us to avoid any form of criticism is to refrain from doing anything. If you take up any endeavor, there will always be people who will criticize you. If you want to achieve anything meaningful in life, you need to have the courage to face criticisms and improve upon those.
9 Time crumbles things, everything grows old under the power of time and is forgotten through the lapse of time. -Aristotle
There’s nothing in the universe that can defeat time. You cannot run away from it. Nor can you stretch it or turn it back. Time once lost never comes back. It has immense power to heal and grow.
10 A friend to all is a friend to none. -Aristotle
Someone who acts like a friend to everyone does so only because they see a benefit in it. Do not believe someone who is everyone’s friend because you never know what ulterior motives they have been hiding within.
11 He who cannot be a good follower cannot be a good leader. -Aristotle
A great leader has to first be a great follower too. Unless you know what it means to be a follower, unless you can follow the path of great men before you, you can never lead.
12 It is of the nature of desire not to be satisfied, and most men live only for the gratification of it. -Aristotle
Desire is a vicious cycle. It never ends. No matter how much you try, you can never satisfy yourself because desire eventually turns to greed. And you’ll keep wanting for more and more.
13 Excellence is never an accident, It is always the result of high intention, sincere effort, and intelligent execution. -Aristotle
Excellence does not happen by chance. It is the result of incessant hard work and struggles and efforts. Nothing great happens by accident. If you want to get to the top you cannot rely on luck to come to save the day.
14 Educating the mind without educating the heart is no education at all. -Aristotle
The greatest education is moral education. You can learn everything there is to know but if your heart is corrupt, there’s no point to any of it. Keep a clean heart and know right from wrong.
15 The more you know, the more you know you don’t know. -Aristotle
The more you learn, the more you realize how much you do not know. Knowledge is infinite. No matter how much you try, you can never learn everything. The truly wise minds understand this.
15 Best Quotes by Aristotle on Life, Education and Happiness
1. It is the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it. -Aristotle
2. Happiness is the meaning and the purpose of life, the whole aim and end of human existence. -Aristotle
3. No great mind has ever existed without a touch of madness. -Aristotle
4. I count him braver who overcomes his desires than him who conquers his enemies, for the hardest victory is over self. -Aristotle
5. The high-minded man must care more for the truth than for what people think. -Aristotle
6. Wishing to be friends is quick work, but friendship is a slow ripening fruit. -Aristotle
7. Learning is not child’s play, we cannot learn without pain. -Aristotle
8. Criticism is something we can avoid easily by saying nothing, doing nothing, and being nothing. -Aristotle
9. Time crumbles things, everything grows old under the power of time and is forgotten through the lapse of time. -Aristotle
10. A friend to all is a friend to none. -Aristotle
11. He who cannot be a good follower cannot be a good leader. -Aristotle
12. It is of the nature of desire not to be satisfied, and most men live only for the gratification of it. -Aristotle
13. Excellence is never an accident, It is always the result of high intention, sincere effort, and intelligent execution. -Aristotle
14. Educating the mind without educating the heart is no education at all. -Aristotle
15. The more you know, the more you know you don’t know. -Aristotle