Chapter 12

Term 1

Nature

Nothing that is part of one's nature can be changed by habit, an example is of the stone or fire.

In those things in us by nature, we first gain powers for them, then afterward their exercise.

No one reproaches a man who is ugly by nature.

Our nature is not simple but composite, one part in itself pleasurable in a corporeal way, another incorporeal.

If some nature is simple, its action will always be the same and most pleasurable.

A nature in need of change has defect in it, it is not simple, neither is it entirely good in itself. Such is the case of evil man, who is easily changed.

Term 2

Natural Things

In natural desires, few men go astray.

We should not hold that natural things cannot be changed as universally true. Things are not changed in their essence, but in their use they can be.

The things of nature are immovable, they always have the same potential. Just as fire burns the same here as it does in Persia.

Natural things obey the innate laws in them.

Pursuing natural desires is more pardonable than pursuing other things that are not.

Term 3

Neither

Neither of these ways of thinking went entirely astray in what they said regarding happiness.

Term 4

Terms

These terms 'loss' and 'gain' are found in voluntary exchanges, because to have more in these is called 'gain' and to have less in such things is called 'loss'.

Term 5

Money

Money was invented as a kind of measure by which excess or defect can be restored to the mean.

Money came into being as a necessary element in exchange.
Money arouse of the necessity when making exchange.

Money is, as it were, a guarantee for a man in future need, because it contains future activities within its amount.

Money should be the measure of something's worth, more than other standards, since its worth is stable.

Money makes measured things equal.

Term 6

Nuptials

We invite relations and those of the same stock to weddings.

Term 7

In Our Power

It is in our power to be good or evil.

Term 8

We are Born

We are born more inclined toward pleasures, and so we are more easily moved toward intemperance than toward temperance.

Term 9

Righteous Indignation

Righteous indignation is the middle as with regard to the good we see befalling those who do not deserve it. One who has too much we call envious, he is pained by the goods of bad and good men alike. The one with too little we term epicacotharchos.

Term 10

The Righteously Indignant Man

The righteously indignant man is pained by those who enjoy good fortune but do not deserve it. The man called epicacotharchos takes pleasure in all misfortune.

Term 11

Neoptolemus

Neoptolemus was persuaded by Odysseus to deceive Philoctetes by lying. He was convinced at first, but afterward strayed from that advice, for that we praise him.

Term 12

The Nutritive Part

The nutritive part seems to work most during sleep.

The nutritive part lacks human virtue.

The nutritive part is not perfected by any moral virtue, there is nothing in its power or not in its power to do.