"To run away from trouble is a form of cowardice and, while it is true that the suicide braves death, he does it not for some noble object but to escape some ill"

To run away from trouble is described here as a form of cowardice, suggesting that avoiding difficulties does not demonstrate true bravery. Facing challenges is an integral part of building character and moral strength; avoidance reveals a reluctance to engage with the hardships that life inevitably presents. The underlying implication is that courage is not simply about confronting physical danger, but about persevering through difficulties and uncertainties, no matter how daunting.

Aristotle contrasts running away from trouble with suicide, acknowledging that suicide might appear courageous on the surface because it involves facing death, the ultimate fear. However, he points out that this act is fundamentally distinct from genuine bravery. The suicide, rather than bravely grappling with adversity or striving for a noble cause, seeks to escape from suffering or misfortune. In this act, death is not faced for the pursuit of a worthy aim, such as the protection of others or the defense of moral principles, but rather as a means to avoid enduring hardship. Thus, it is not an embrace of death for something greater, but a flight from pain and distress.

Aristotle underscores the importance of intent and motivation behind actions, especially those that involve risk or sacrifice. Bravery, in his view, is measured not only by confronting danger but by the presence of a higher, virtuous goal, facing peril for what is right, just, or noble. When death or suffering is approached not to fulfill a meaningful purpose but merely to escape from difficulty, the act does not qualify as courageous. Instead, it represents a failure to respond to adversity in a virtuous manner, revealing a lack of resilience and moral fortitude. The true test of character lies in enduring trials with resolve and persisting in the face of adversity, rather than seeking the quickest route out of suffering.