XIII
Returning to the constitution itself, let us seek to determine out
of what and what sort of elements the state which is to be happy and
well-governed should be composed. There are two things in which all
which all well-being consists: one of them is the choice of a right
end and aim of action, and the other the discovery of the actions
which are means towards it; for the means and the end may agree or
disagree. Sometimes the right end is set before men, but in practice
they fail to attain it; in other cases they are successful in all
the means, but they propose to themselves a bad end; and sometimes
they fail in both. Take, for example, the art of medicine;
physicians do not always understand the nature of health, and also the
means which they use may not effect the desired end. In all arts and
sciences both the end and the means should be equally within our
control.
The happiness and well-being which all men manifestly desire, some
have the power of attaining, but to others, from some accident or
defect of nature, the attainment of them is not granted; for a good
life requires a supply of external goods, in a less degree when men
are in a good state, in a greater degree when they are in a lower
state. Others again, who possess the conditions of happiness, go
utterly wrong from the first in the pursuit of it.
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