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with persons more and less well known to him, and
similarly as regards other distinctions, assigning to each class the proper degree of
deference, and, other things apart, preferring to join in the pleasures of his companions
and being reluctant to give pain; but being guided by the consequences, that is to say,
the effects on his and his friends' credit or interest, if these outweigh the pleasure he
will give by compliance. Also he will give a small amount of pain at the moment for the
sake of a large amount of pleasure in the future.
[9]
Such is the middle character, although it has no name. The man who always joins in the
pleasures of his companions, if he sets out to be pleasant for no ulterior motive, is
Obsequious; if he does so for the sake of getting something by it in the shape of money or
money's worth, he is a Flatterer. He that disapproves of everything is, as we said, Surly
or Quarrelsome. As the mean has no name, the extremes appear to be opposite to each
other.7.
The observance of the mean1
in relation to Boastfulness has to do with almost the same things. It also is without a
name; but it will be as well to discuss these unnamed excellences with the rest, since we
shall the better understand the nature of the moral character if we examine its qualities
one by one; and we shall also confirm our belief that the virtues are modes of observing
the mean, if we notice how this holds good in every instance. Now we have treated of
behavior in Society with relation to giving pleasure and pain. Let us now discuss
truthfulness and falsehood similarly displayed in
word and deed, and in one's personal pretensions.
[2]
As generally understood then, the boaster is a man who pretends to creditable qualities
that he does not possess, or possesses in a lesser degree than he makes out,
[3]
while conversely the self depreciator disclaims or disparages good
qualities that he does possess;
[4]
midway between them is
the straightforward sort of man who is sincere both in behavior and in speech, and admits
the truth about his own qualifications without either exaggeration or understatement.
[5]
Each of these things may be done with or without an
ulterior motive; but when a man is acting without ulterior motive, his words, actions, and
conduct always represent a his true character.2
[6]
Falsehood is in itself base and reprehensible, and truth
noble and praiseworthy; and similarly the sincere man who stands between the two extremes
is praised, and the insincere of both kinds are blamed, more especially the boaster. Let
us discuss each of the two, beginning with the truthful man.
[7]
We are speaking not of truthfulness in business relations, nor in matters where honesty
and dishonesty are concerned