“Those who excel in virtue have the best right of all to rebel, but then they are of all men the least inclined to do so.”
- 384 BC – 322 BC
- Originating from Macedonia in ancient Greece
- Philosopher and scientist, founder of the Lyceum academy
- A student of Plato, he constructed systematic knowledge in logic, biology, politics, ethics, etc., and had a major impact on the development of Western thought and science
Quote
“Those who excel in virtue have the best right of all to rebel, but then they are of all men the least inclined to do so.”
Explanation
In this quote, Aristotle suggests that those who possess the highest virtue—moral excellence, wisdom, and integrity—are the ones who have the most justified reason to rebel against injustice or corruption, as they are most capable of discerning what is morally right. However, he paradoxically asserts that such virtuous individuals are the least likely to rebel because their moral character leads them to act with restraint and self-control, even when faced with wrongdoing. They are more inclined to seek peaceful or just solutions rather than resorting to violence or rebellion. In essence, while they possess the moral right to challenge tyranny or injustice, their virtue typically steers them away from rash actions, making them less likely to act out of anger or impulse.
This idea is still highly relevant in today’s discussions about leadership, social justice, and civil disobedience. Virtuous leaders or individuals who possess a strong sense of ethics and justice are often more focused on finding thoughtful and non-violent solutions to societal issues rather than resorting to rebellion. They may choose to work within legal or institutional frameworks to address problems rather than engaging in actions that could lead to harm or instability.
For example, a civil rights leader who embodies virtue—such as Martin Luther King Jr.—might have had a justified cause to rebel against systemic injustice, but he focused on non-violent resistance and peaceful protest to bring about change. Aristotle’s quote highlights the moral restraint that virtuous individuals often exercise, recognizing that the most virtuous are also the ones who seek to resolve conflict in the most ethical way possible.
