# Epigraph explained — Erewhon

> Chapter companion for Erewhon by Samuel Butler.

## What happens

The chapter presents an epigraph from Aristotle's Politics, suggesting that all human actions are motivated by the appearance of good, and a paraphrase emphasizing that no action is taken without weighing considerations.

## Themes in this chapter

### Truth and Deception

The epigraph implies that actions are based on perceived good, which may involve self-deception or moral ambiguity.

## Key lines

> του γαρ ειναι δοκουντος αγαθου χαριν παντα πραττουσι παντες.

All people do everything for the sake of what appears to be good.

_This Aristotelian principle underscores the subjective nature of moral motivation._

> There is no action save upon a balance of considerations.

Every action is taken only after weighing various factors.

_This paraphrase reinforces the idea of rational deliberation behind choices._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/erewhon_se/chapters/epigraph
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/erewhon_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/erewhon_se/chapters