“A magnificent person spends like an artist. They use their wealth to create something truly meaningful and lasting. A magnificent person spends wisely. They make sure their money goes toward a noble goal. The result should be impressive, matching or exceeding the amount spent. Their goal isn’t to save money or be the cheapest—it’s to create something truly amazing.”
-The Nichomachean Ethics - For Everyone, Aristotle, Kindle Edition, pg. 67
“The Difference Between Magnificence, Generosity, and Wastefulness
A magnificent person is always generous, but not all generous people are magnificent. Generosity means giving with care. Magnificence, on the other hand, is about spending in a grand way that inspires awe.
A generous person might give money to a local school. This helps buy supplies so students have what they need. This is admirable, but it is not magnificent.
A magnificent person, however, might fund a new school building. It would have an inspiring design and a lasting impact. Their spending is not just helpful—it is extraordinary and fitting for their means.”
-The Nichomachean Ethics - For Everyone, Aristotle, Kindle Edition, pg. 66-67
“What Is Magnificence?
Magnificence is a virtue of grand and meaningful spending. Generosity is for everyday gifts. Magnificence is all about investing in important things in a big way. This includes public works and grand celebrations.
A magnificent person spends money in a way that is grand and fitting for the occasion. What counts as "grand" depends on the situation:
Paying for a warship is much more expensive than organizing a festival, but both can be magnificent if done properly. What matters is not just how much is spent, but how wisely and beautifully it is spent.
Someone who spends wisely on small things isn’t called magnificent—that word is for people who spend well on big things.”
-The Nichomachean Ethics - For Everyone, Aristotle, Kindle Edition, pg. 66-67
“Why Greed is Worse
Greed is far harder to correct than wastefulness. Unlike wastefulness, which often fades with age or hardship, greed tends to grow stronger over time. As people age, they often cling to their wealth. This makes it harder for them to be generous. Furthermore, greed is far more common than wastefulness, making it a more widespread vice.
There are two types of greedy people:
1 Stingy hoarders – They don’t try to take from others but refuse to share what they have. They fear losing money, so they hoard it.
2 Money-grabbers – They take whatever they can, even from bad sources. This includes gamblers, con artists, and those who inflate prices. They care more about money than their reputation.”
-The Nichomachean Ethics - For Everyone, Aristotle, Kindle Edition, pg. 64-65
