When you have thrown a stone, you cannot afterwards bring it back again, but nevertheless you are responsible for having taken up the stone and flung it, for the origin of the act was within you. Similarly the unjust and profligate might at the outset have avoided becoming so, and therefore they are so voluntarily, although when they have become unjust and profligate it is no longer open to them not to be so.

Happiness depends upon ourselves.

Happiness lies in virtuous activity, and perfect happiness lies in the best activity, which is contemplative

They who are to be judges must also be performers.

Metaphor is halfway between the unintelligible and the commonplace.

And this activity alone would seem to be loved for its own sake; for nothing arises from it apart from the contemplating, while from practical activities we gain more or less apart from the action. And happiness is thought to depend on leisure; for we are busy that we may have leisure, and make war that we may live in peace.

Also, that which is desirable in itself is more desirable than what is desirable per accidens.