The small-souled man1 falls short both as judged by his own deserts and in comparison with the claim of the great-souled man; 3. [13] the vain man on the other hand exceeds as judged by his own standard, but does not however exceed the great-souled man.2 3. [14]
And inasmuch as the great-souled man deserves most, he must be the best of men; for the better a man is the more he deserves, and he that is best deserves most. Therefore the truly great-souled man must be a good man. Indeed greatness in each of the virtues would seem to go with greatness of soul. 3. [15] For instance, one cannot imagine the great-souled man running at full speed when retreating in battle,3 nor acting dishonestly; since what motive for base conduct has a man to whom nothing is great?4 Considering all the virtues in turn, we shall feel it quite ridiculous to picture the great-souled man as other than a good man. Moreover, if he were bad, he would not be worthy of honor, since honor is the prize of virtue, and the tribute that we pay to the good.