IN THE ORIGINAL TEXT
Aristotle distinguishes acquiring what a household needs from making the accumulation of money an end in itself. The first has a purpose beyond acquisition; the second can continue without a limit. The question becomes not only how much, but what for.
This discussion belongs to ancient household and political life, not modern portfolio theory. The book also contains views on slavery and hierarchy we reject. We take the question about purpose seriously without adopting its social order.
Read the original / translation ↗The Internet Classics Archive · MIT · Book I, sections 8–10 · Benjamin Jowett translation
MAINNET’S REFLECTION
Bring it back to today.
Today, capital might support a period of exploration, a long commitment or room to change direction. Those purposes imply different tolerances for waiting and uncertainty.
Investment & capital strategy
We examine return, liquidity, time and the choices a commitment may remove. Define what the capital should support before deciding what to commit.
Explore this discipline ↗FOR THE NEXT CONVERSATION
If assets grow but changing direction becomes harder, what has the commitment achieved?
Bring this question ↗These notes are written by Mainnet. Our reflections are contemporary interpretations, not claims made by the authors about modern business.