A great city is not to be confounded with a populous one.

The quote by Aristotle draws a distinction between a great city and a populous one, suggesting that the quality of a city is not determined solely by the number of people who live in it. A great city is one that excels in areas like culture, governance, intellect, and the well-being of its inhabitants, while a populous city may simply be large in terms of population without offering the same level of enrichment or prosperity.

Aristotle's statement challenges the common assumption that a city's size equates to its greatness. While a large population can be a factor in a city’s importance, it does not necessarily make it great. The quote suggests that cities with fewer people but higher levels of education, innovation, and quality of life can be just as significant, if not more so, than those with a large, but potentially more superficial or disorganized population.

This idea connects to Aristotle's broader philosophy on society and the best way of living, where he often emphasized the importance of virtue, justice, and the good life over mere size or outward appearances. He believed that a truly great city is one where people live in harmony, where the government serves the common good, and where individuals are able to flourish and contribute to society.

The origin of this quote can be found in Aristotle's works, particularly in his Politics, where he discusses the nature of the ideal city-state. This quote is often cited to remind us that greatness in society is defined by quality and substance, not just the mere number of people or the outward signs of wealth or population size. It encourages a focus on the values that make a city thrive, rather than simply its size.