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[5]
(3) Again, if it is better to be happy
as a result of one's own exertions than by the gift of fortune, it is reasonable to
suppose that this is how happiness is won; inasmuch as in the world of nature things have
a natural tendency to be ordered in the best possible way,
[6]
and the same is true of the products of art, and of causation of any kind, and
especially the highest.1 Whereas that the greatest and noblest of all things should be left to fortune
would be too contrary to the fitness of things.
[7]
Light is also thrown on the question by our definition of happiness, which said that it
is a certain kind of activity of the soul; whereas the remaining good things2 are either merely
indispensable conditions of happiness, or are of the nature of auxiliary means, and useful
instrumentally.
[8]
This conclusion3 moreover agrees with
what we laid down at the outset; for we stated that the Supreme Good was the end of
political science, but the principal care of this science is to produce a certain
character in the citizens, namely to make them virtuous, and capable of performing noble
actions.
[9]
We have good reasons therefore for not speaking of an ox or horse or any other animal as
being happy,