Kitap 1
7.14
And that which is scarcer is a greater good than that which is abundant, as gold than iron, although it is less useful, but the possession of it is more valuable, since it is more difficult of acquisition. From another point of view, that which is abundant is to be preferred to that which is scarce, because the use of it is greater, for often exceeds seldom,; whence the saying: Water is best.Pind. O. 1.1.
7.15
And, speaking generally, that which is more difficult is preferable to that which is easier of attainment, for it is scarcer; but from another point of view that which is easier is preferable to that which is more difficult; for its nature is as we wish.
7.16
And that, the contrary or the deprivation of which is greater, is the greater good.e.g. it is worse to be blind than deaf; therefore sight is better than hearing (Schrader). And virtue is greater than non-virtue, and vice than non-vice; for virtues and vices are ends, the others not.
7.17
And those things whose works are nobler or more disgraceful are themselves greater; and the works of those things, the vices and virtues of which are greater, will also be greater, since between causes and first principles compared with results there is the same relation as between results compared with causes and first principles.
7.18
Things, superiority in which is more desirable or nobler, are to be preferred; for instance, sharpness of sight is preferable to keenness of smell for sight is better than smell. And loving one's friends more than money is nobler, whence it follows that love of friends is nobler than love of money. And, on the other hand, the better and nobler things are, the better and nobler will be their superiority; and similarly, those things, the desire for which is nobler and better, are themselves nobler and better,
7.19
for greater longings are directed towards greater objects. For the same reason, the better and nobler the object, the better and nobler are the desires.
