Nature, which always aims at the best, provides that it shall be attained, through a certain course of teaching and training, by all who are not physically or mentally disqualified.

It thus falls within the scope of political science, whose object is to impart the best character and active habits to the citizens.

It is with good reason that we never call a horse happy, for he can never reach such an attainment; nor indeed can a child be so called while yet a child, for the same reason; though in his case we may hope for the future, presuming on a full term of life, as was before postulated (IX.).

But-this long term allows room for extreme calamities and change in a man's lot.

Are we then to say, with Solon, that no one can be called happy so long as he lives?
or that the same man may often pass backwards and forwards from happiness to misery?
No; this only shows the mistake of resting happiness upon so unsound a basis as external fortune.