supreme good

From: “the Supreme Good is that which is honourable.”

has also its own abode. It does not grow where ivory grows, or iron.

From: “So the Supreme Good has also its own abode. It does not grow where ivory grows, or iron.”

cut loose from virtue and measured by convenience leaves a man unable to keep a friend, be just, or be generous.

Recast in definition form from: “For he who so interprets the supreme good as to disjoin it from virtue, and measures it by his own convenience, and not by the standard of right, — he, I say, if he be consistent with himself, and be not sometimes overcome by natural goodness, can cultivate neither friendship, nor justice, nor generosity”

needs no help from externals: wanting it increased by fortune's gifts is like being discontent with daylight unless a tiny fire is added.

Recast in definition form from: “Even Antipater, one of the great leaders of this school, admits that he ascribes some influence to externals, though only a very slight influence. You see, however, what absurdity lies in not being content with the daylight unless it is increased by a tiny fire.”

must be fixed before any detail of life can be set in order, as a painter with all his colours ready cannot make a likeness until he knows what he will paint.

Recast in definition form from: “For whatever we do ought to be in harmony with this; no man can set in order the details unless he has already set before himself the chief purpose of his life. The artist may have his colours all prepared, but he cannot produce a likeness unless he has already made up his mind what he wishes to paint.”

ought to be simple, and cannot be mingled of widely unlike ingredients: to unite pleasure with the right is to yoke a beast with a man.

Recast in definition form from: “The right does not accept this union, spurns it, repels it. Nor can the supreme good, which ought to be simple, be mingled and compounded of widely unlike ingredients.”

supreme good, n.Definitions

supreme good