What Aristotle thinks about education
Greek philosopher (384 to 322 BCE); studied in Plato's Academy until 347 BCE; founded the Lyceum in Athens in 335 BCE.
Aristotle did not write this page.
We collected these quotes from things they published elsewhere, and every quote links to where it was said. They have no account here and have not endorsed this site. Quotes are word for word; the short line under each one is our own restatement, not their wording. Their own site. Is this you? Claim it or ask us to remove it. Or tell us what is wrong here.
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3 dated positions, c. 367–322 BCE, in their own words. Our reading of what Aristotle has said — not written or endorsed by them.
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Our readingWithout being raised under right laws, it is hard to get a right training for virtue from youth
Their wordsBut it is difficult to get from youth up a right training for virtue if one has not been brought up under right laws; for to live temperately and hardily is not pleasant to most people, especially when they are young.
↗Nicomachean Ethics, Book Ten (tr. W. D. Ross, 1925)en.wikisource.org All 3 from this book
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Our readingEvery citizen belongs to the state, not to any individual, and should regard the good of the whole
Their wordsBesides, no one ought to think that any citizen belongs to him in particular, but to the state in general; for each one is a part of the state, and it is the natural duty of each part to regard the good of the whole: and for this the Lacedaemonians may be praised; for they give the greatest attention to education, and make it public.
↗Politics: A Treatise on Government (William Ellis translation)gutenberg.org All 18 from this book
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Their wordsIt is evident, then, that there should be laws concerning education, and that it should be public.
↗Politics: A Treatise on Government (William Ellis translation)gutenberg.org All 18 from this book