Aristotle, Greek Philosopher, c. 384-322 B.C.

An early Islamic portrayal of Aristotle
(right) and Alexander the Great.

Excellence is an art won by training and habituation. We do not act rightly because we have virtue or excellence, but rather have those because we have acted rightly. We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act but a habit.

Anyone can become angry - that is easy, but to be angry with the right person at the right time, and for the right purpose and in the right way - that is not within everyone's power and that is not easy.