This quote, “We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit”, attributed to Aristotle, is actually a paraphrase from the work of his biographer, Will Durant. In The Story of Philosophy (1926), Durant summarized Aristotle’s ideas, stating: “We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit.”
Meaning of the Quote:
This quote highlights the importance of consistent actions and habits in shaping who we are. It suggests that excellence isn’t a one-time achievement or momentary success but the result of deliberate, repeated effort over time. Essentially, our habits define us and pave the way to greatness.
About Aristotle:
Aristotle (384–322 BCE) was an ancient Greek philosopher and polymath whose work laid the foundation for much of Western thought. He studied under Plato and later became a tutor to Alexander the Great. His contributions span ethics, politics, metaphysics, biology, and more, with his emphasis on virtuous living and rationality still influencing philosophy today.
