登陆注册
26303000000034

第34章

Moreover, judge by the destructions and losses and generations and acquisitions and contraries of things: for things whose destruction is more objectionable are themselves more desirable. Likewise also with the losses and contraries of things; for a thing whose loss or whose contrary is more objectionable is itself more desirable. With the generations or acquisitions of things the opposite is the case: for things whose acquisition or generation is more desirable are themselves also desirable. Another commonplace rule is that what is nearer to the good is better and more desirable, i.e. what more nearly resembles the good: thus justice is better than a just man. Also, that which is more like than another thing to something better than itself, as e.g. some say that Ajax was a better man than Odysseus because he was more like Achilles. An objection may be raised to this that it is not true: for it is quite possible that Ajax did not resemble Achilles more nearly than Odysseus in the points which made Achilles the best of them, and that Odysseus was a good man, though unlike Achilles. Look also to see whether the resemblance be that of a caricature, like the resemblance of a monkey to a man, whereas a horse bears none: for the monkey is not the more handsome creature, despite its nearer resemblance to a man. Again, in the case of two things, if one is more like the better thing while another is more like the worse, then that is likely to be better which is more like the better. This too, however, admits of an objection: for quite possibly the one only slightly resembles the better, while the other strongly resembles the worse, e.g. supposing the resemblance of Ajax to Achilles to be slight, while that of Odysseus to Nestor is strong. Also it may be that the one which is like the better type shows a degrading likeness, whereas the one which is like the worse type improves upon it: witness the likeness of a horse to a donkey, and that of a monkey to a man.

Another rule is that the more conspicuous good is more desirable than the less conspicuous, and the more difficult than the easier: for we appreciate better the possession of things that cannot be easily acquired. Also the more personal possession is more desirable than the more widely shared. Also, that which is more free from connexion with evil: for what is not attended by any unpleasantness is more desirable than what is so attended.

Moreover, if A be without qualification better than B, then also the best of the members of A is better than the best of the members of B; e.g. if Man be better than Horse, then also the best man is better than the best horse. Also, if the best in A be better than the best in B, then also A is better than B without qualification; e.g. if the best man be better than the best horse, then also Man is better than Horse without qualification.

Moreover, things which our friends can share are more desirable than those they cannot. Also, things which we like rather to do to our friend are more desirable than those we like to do to the man in the street, e.g. just dealing and the doing of good rather than the semblance of them: for we would rather really do good to our friends than seem to do so, whereas towards the man in the street the converse is the case.

Also, superfluities are better than necessities, and are sometimes more desirable as well: for the good life is better than mere life, and good life is a superfluity, whereas mere life itself is a necessity. Sometimes, though, what is better is not also more desirable: for there is no necessity that because it is better it should also be more desirable: at least to be a philosopher is better than to make money, but it is not more desirable for a man who lacks the necessities of life. The expression 'superfluity' applies whenever a man possesses the necessities of life and sets to work to secure as well other noble acquisitions. Roughly speaking, perhaps, necessities are more desirable, while superfluities are better.

Also, what cannot be got from another is more desirable than what can be got from another as well, as (e.g.) is the case of justice compared with courage. Also, A is more desirable if A is desirable without B, but not B without A: power (e.g.) is not desirable without prudence, but prudence is desirable without power. Also, if of two things we repudiate the one in order to be thought to possess the other, then that one is more desirable which we wish to be thought to possess; thus (e.g.) we repudiate the love of hard work in order that people may think us geniuses.

Moreover, that is more desirable in whose absence it is less blameworthy for people to be vexed; and that is more desirable in whose absence it is more blameworthy for a man not to be vexed.

同类推荐
  • 河南程氏遗书

    河南程氏遗书

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。
  • 贤识录

    贤识录

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。
  • The Land of Footprints

    The Land of Footprints

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。
  • 准提三昧行法

    准提三昧行法

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。
  • 元诗纪事

    元诗纪事

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。
热门推荐
  • 符魔记

    符魔记

    仙道,玄通大陆的安生立命之本法器,玄通大陆的定鼎天下之根宗门,玄通大陆的最高主宰之地不过,这一切都与莫无欢没有丝毫关系因为他只是一个没有仙根的孩子......
  • 龙王令

    龙王令

    这是一个宣扬真武朝圣的世界。凤家庄庶出七小姐凤芷楼本是九阴之女,阴气遮掩慧根,无法成为武者,被人耻笑为废材。凤芷楼被派到药房干活,帮凤二叔筛药十几年。近三年来,她被人屡次退婚,成了六大家族,乃至武京皇朝茶余饭后的笑柄。一日,凤芷楼在采药时,救了因身受重伤而坠入悬崖的神秘男子楚墨殇。善良的凤芷楼不忍看他被虫噬鼠咬,便每日定时给他送药医治。在凤芷楼的悉心照料下,楚墨殇伤势好转。这时,凤芷楼却遇到了烦心之事。原来,她的父亲要将她许配给庄口的傻子贾玉。父亲给她三日期限要她找到愿意娶她为妻之人,否则就要她嫁给那傻子。情急之下,凤芷楼想到了被她救治的楚墨殇……
  • 有妖气

    有妖气

    每个人心中都有一只小猴子。玩弄人心的怪物其实就是我们自己。
  • 我男友是二哈系的

    我男友是二哈系的

    慕孝雅:长着一张严肃的俊脸和高大的身材,一看就是高冷型的王子大人这一类的,第一次见面就跟我告白是哪样?说的高冷呢!!!!(扶额)贾寒云:……(大脑短路中,满脑子都是慕孝雅)
  • 首席大人,宝贝不认你

    首席大人,宝贝不认你

    一场车祸、一个谎言、两个破碎的家庭……他,带着如海深的仇恨,建造了属于自己的金融帝国。她,怀着登上林肯中心的巨大梦想在温室中幸福成长。一次偶然的相遇,命运的齿轮开始转动……血海深仇、挚爱迷情到底该如何选择。与此同时,一个巨大的阴谋开始酝酿,慢慢笼罩两人,经历生死的两人是否能战胜心中阴霾?
  • 舞动传奇

    舞动传奇

    他是九头坡养猪大户的儿子,村里首屈一指的富二代;他从小跟奶奶跳广场舞,拥有超强的感受音乐的天赋;虽说他打扮土鳖,但却迷倒万千少女……他说:“我只想安静地做一个舞王。”(单纯男主变腹黑男神的道路。)
  • 辽诗话

    辽诗话

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。
  • 神犬小七之小七的内心想法

    神犬小七之小七的内心想法

    开始时,我只能“看”到黑压压的一片还有分别从身体下传来的阵阵温暖和从身体上放袭来的寒冷。
  • 我的主神妹妹

    我的主神妹妹

    作为主神空间的代行者,柳梦潮在此郑重宣布。1.为了尽量少的,发放任务奖励,一定会努力让每一个轮回小队团灭。2.为了尽量多的,得到彩池奖励点数,一定会努力让每一个轮回队员心惊胆战。3.一切都为了主神空间,所有偷奸耍滑,钻漏洞的行为,一定会给予抹杀。最后,作为一个妹控,柳梦潮告诉你,哪怕妹妹是主神,也照样控给你看!你以为这是无限流?错!这是把妹流!这里是企鹅群:169013580这个是新群,热烈欢迎各位新读者(进门暗号,读者,或者loli写里番都行)184078317这个是原来食死徒的群,如果大家愿意进群里面去掉节操的话。。。
  • 都市灵魂契约

    都市灵魂契约

    罗云没有穿越,也没有重生。但是,他意外得到了一枚能把别人强行契约为奴隶的魂珠。于是,罗云精彩的人生从此开始……没钱?没关系,契约一个亿万富翁的奴隶!没权?没关系,契约几个衙内!没打手?没关系,契约几个武林高手?什么?还有修真者?那也先契约几个!