Aristotle’s 12 virtues are a great checklist to understand the different morals, values, and virtues that you could cultivate or restrain in your life. It’s like an ancient Greek personality test.
Moderation in all things, including moderation: Aristotle was clear that too much (excess) of any virtue is just as bad as lack (deficiency). You must find the mean, the right balance.
For example, too much courage is foolhardy and could get you killed. Too little courage and you avoid healthy risks and are seen as a coward. Too much modesty and you may be seen as shy and withdrawn. Too little modesty and you become irritating and boastful. And so on.
Aristotle’s 12 virtues:
1) Courage – bravery
2) Temperance – moderation
3) Liberality – spending
4) Magnificence – charisma, style
5) Magnanimity – generosity
6) Ambition – pride
7) Patience – temper, calm
8) Friendliness – social IQ
9) Truthfulness – honesty, candidness
10) Wit – humor, joy
11) Modesty – ego
12) Justice – sense of right / wrong, indignation
Of the twelve above, I find myself struggling the most with a deficiency of #7, patience. All of us struggle with all of the virtues, at least some of the time. But that’s Aristotle’s point: it’s a process, it’s about balance, and it’s not easy.
2020 update:
I left out an important aspect of this list: Aristotle also gave specific labels to each virtue when it was either excessive or deficient.
For example, too much courage is RASHNESS, and too little is COWARDICE.
Too much magnificence is VULGARITY, and too little is PETTINESS.
Here is a great chart below, all credit belongs to Productive Flourishing!
