“A magnificent man will also furnish his house suitably to his wealth, for even a house is a sort of public ornament, and will spend by preference on those works that are lasting, for these are the most beautiful.”
Aristotle, Nicomachean Ethics
At root wealth always has a public aspect to it. It is mine precisely so that I can use it well for the good of all—and this even when I am using it in private affairs.
According to Aristotle, the wealthy have a particular duty to use their wealth with magnificence. This means both spending well on public goods, such as divine worship and various civic projects, and spending well on private goods, such as making and furnishing a truly beautiful and enduring structure for one’s home.
This seems likewise to apply to us all. There is a public aspect to our house. Its architecture and its upkeep, and indeed all aspects of its appearance can contribute, or detract from, the commonweal of the community.
While this might seem at first to constrict or impose on the freedom of individuals, perhaps rather it is an obligation that elevates and points to a deeper meaning for our home life, and for our very house.
Aristotle suggests that the beauty of our home is a way that we serve those around us. And he goes further: building for permanence is an aspect of building for beauty. Perhaps this is one reason that there is always something about a stone house.
Many of us are not in the position to build a new home; and among those that are, financial considerations will often be a real limiting factor in what we can do. Yet it seems Aristotle has given us a special perspective, one from which to appreciate styles that endure, and materials and construction that endure. For the sake of beauty, and for the sake of others, as well as for ourselves.
Regardless of our financial situation we can bear in mind this wonderful, even if challenging aspect of what our houses can be and can mean, right down to their furnishings.
Aristotle (384-322 B.C.), student of Plato, tutor of Alexander the Great, has been considered by many to be the greatest ancient philosopher. The Nicomachean Ethics is his major ethical work.
Husband, father, and professor of Philosophy. LifeCraft springs from one conviction: there is an ancient wisdom about how to live the good life in our homes, with our families; and it is worth our time to hearken to it. Let’s rediscover it together. Learn more.
Dr. Cuddeback,
Thank you for the excellent post! I have come to the same conclusions myself of late, and was enthused to find a post which so closely resonates with me. These principles are informing my current home-building plans for my family.
If you are interested in beauty in architecture, and in permanence, then you could do worse than to explore some of the work and writings of Quinlan Terry. He has an excellent short essay on traditional design and construction techniques here:
http://qtarchitects.com/essays/essay-seven-misunderstandings/
God bless, and thank you for writing such a consistently excellent blog.
Semper Idem,
Andrew Watson
Andrew,
Thank you for your kind words! Mr. Terry’s site looks really interesting; I think you are fortunate to have found such an architect.
The cynic would call this “Keeping up with the Joneses.”
It stirs a couple of thoughts. I have built four homes in my life. They range from very small and humble to fairly grand. All were my design and pleasing to me but what the neighbors might think was never a consideration. All were built with reasonable longevity in mind but this is FLORIDA and the idea of a home lasting over 100 years is just not part of the Florida psyche.
This morning I had my weekly chat with my neighbor up the street who also raises horses as well as runs a feed store. He’s 84. He surprised me as I was about to leave by saying “I’m going to write a letter to my son.” You better believe I sat right back down!!
He is going to tell the son who stands to inherit the farm that he is “a lot less proud of the farm than he used to be.” The son should feel no obligation to preserve the farm when his father passes on.
I understand this completely. We horse people tend to put a lot of effort into building beautiful farms but after 40 or 50 years it starts to feel pretty pointless. On my farm we joke about hosting “watch it rot” parties.
On the flip side, one of the things that really struck me on our recent trip to Ireland was the obvious pride people took in the appearance of their homes. Good “curb appeal” was almost universal there. I came away wondering what fosters this? I bet it has somehow got something to do with government rules and tax structure, but it’s probably pretty subtle.
I thought about this more. Last night I was thinking about My own homes I have built but this morning I’m taking a broader view.
I recently visited the home I grew up in. It is over 100 years old and still in use . However, in that little village in a half mile radius of my home , At least five homes have been demolished to make room for some other construction.
In south Florida I have a cousin who actually makes his living tearing down older homes and replacing them with new homes. The lot is far more valuable that the older home.
I feel like the home that serves the family for more than a generation or two is a rare item in America.
Dick,
I think you’re right that we tend not to think in terms of longevity anymore. And we don’t think very much about how the aesthetics of our own structures can serve others. I would surmise that the fact that in Ireland houses tend to be better kept might have a deeper cause–perhaps a cultural inheritance that is more community minded, and more attentive to the dignity of household life. Just a thought.
Thanks for sharing.
I seize upon your words “community minded.” That is the heart of the matter. Community is the thing that is being chipped away at by today’s world.
“…even a house is a sort of public ornament…” As I read this, I think of the homes on nearby Summit Ave. in St. Paul, MN. The whole of Summit Ave. is a joy to drive – or walk along, weather permitting. The homes are simply beautiful to look at; not like many of the cookie-cutter homes of today. Leaded and stained glass windows, built-ins, fireplaces galore (a necessity in the cold MN winters), brownstone, intricate wrought iron gates, turrets, etc. The romantic in me loves to marvel at the mystery of the stories of the people who lived in them; there were railroad magnate James J. Hill, as well as the writer F. Scott Fitzgerald residing in a couple of the homes. There is our governor’s mansion. The eastern end of Summit Ave. is anchored by our magnificent Cathedral of St. Paul, the western end by the University of St. Thomas. An acquaintance recently had a friend visit from Japan, and this was one of the first places I suggested she take her. Definitely a sight not to be missed!
God bless you and yours,
Melisa
“…even a house is a sort of public ornament…” Or, a source of pride for residents of neighboring cities, a joy to see… I’m thinking of the old, beautiful homes on nearby Summit Ave. in St. Paul. Perfect for a drive, or a walk – weather permitting. Gorgeous old homes with turrets, leaded/stained glass windows, brownstone, intricate wrought iron gates line the street, anchored on the east end by our magnificent Cathedral of St. Paul, and the west end by the University of St. Thomas. Definitely not to be missed. Some of these homes have housed railroad magnate James J. Hill and even author F. Scott Fitzgerald. Highly recommend if you ever visit the area.
God bless!
Melisa
Melisa, I was able to pass through St. Paul, but was not able to savor Summit Ave. Your description makes me long for it. Thanks so much.