This quote is suggesting that the primary purpose of a political society is not just for people to exist together in harmony, but to facilitate noble actions. Noble actions, in this context, could be interpreted as actions that are morally good, virtuous, and beneficial to the society as a whole. The idea is that a political society should provide a framework that promotes, encourages, and rewards such noble actions.
The concept of mere companionship suggests a passive existence where people simply live together without a higher purpose or goal. Aristotle is arguing against this, stating that political society should be more than just a group of people co-existing, it should be a platform for the enactment of virtue and the betterment of all its members.
Applying this idea to today’s world, one might look at the role of governments and political systems. If a government is only maintaining peace and order, but not actively promoting and facilitating the betterment of its citizens, it could be argued that it is not fully fulfilling its role as a political society.
In terms of personal development, this quote could be interpreted as a call to action. It encourages us to not just exist passively in our societies, but to actively seek to do good and contribute positively. It reminds us that we are part of a larger community, and that our actions can and should contribute to the betterment of this community. It suggests that the pursuit of noble actions – actions that are morally good and beneficial to others – should be a key goal in our lives.