Nicomachean Ethics

...shows that this is the book of Aristotle. Moreover, the title of the book, as it is found in the most ancient copies, appears to be thus: The Nicomachean Morals of Aristotle the Stagirite; by which title the author, the subject matter of the book, and also he for whose sake it was written, are signified. Nearly all who have any knowledge of letters are well acquainted with the fame and admirable science of Aristotle. Since he was Greek by nation, noble by birth, and nobler by intellect, he emerged under his teachers—first Socrates, then Plato—so great and of such stature in every kind of learning that his name is celebrated everywhere among nations even after so long a time. And a great abundance of his books, in which he encompassed rhetoric, dialectic, and every kind of philosophy, still exists not only in the Greek language, in which they were first written and published, but also in the various languages into which they were later translated.

Why Aristotle is called the Stagirite

Of such and so great a philosopher, therefore, this book of Morals is inscribed as being his, as is indicated by the title. Now, Aristotle is called the Stagirite from his native land and city, Stagira, which, after it had been conquered and laid low by Philip, King of the Macedonians, his son Alexander—and Aristotle's pupil—restored out of love and reverence for his teacher, and returned it to a better form and state. But indeed, it is most clearly established that they are called "Morals" for this reason: because this doctrine instructs our morals and teaches man to live according to right reason. Furthermore, they are called "Nicomachean" because they say that Aristotle, compelled by love for his son Nicomachus, wrote this book and named it after him; by which name it is also distinguished from that book of Aristotle which they call the Magna Moralia. It does not escape me that there are some who think this book is not by Aristotle, but by his son Nicomachus; for there are those who believe that Nicomachus received this doctrine of morals by word of mouth, not in writing, from his father Aristotle, and thereafter composed this book. Regarding these people, I prefer in other things, than in...