Aristotle arrives in Macedon as tutor to the young prince Alexander and other noble youths, appointed by King Philip II to teach at Mieza. His comprehensive curriculum for future leaders encompasses philosophy, governance, biology, mathematics, and military strategy. He imparts the core virtue of moderation, declaring that "excess in all things is the undoing of men."

During lessons, he contrasts Greek and Persian cultures, asserting Greek superiority by characterizing Persians as displaying "barbarity and slavish devotion to their senses," while Greeks practice self-control. He also examines relationships between men, differentiating lust-driven interactions, which he deems excessive and destructive, from intellectual companionship, which cultivates virtue and excellence. He advises that women are typically "slaves to their passions," though he makes an exception for the goddess Athena.

Aristotle sparks Alexander's curiosity about geography and exploration, speculating on the Nile's source in distant mountains and the feasibility of sailing east to India and returning via the "eastern ocean." Yet, he cautions Alexander against Eastern conquests, warning, "The East has a way of swallowing men and their dreams." He expresses skepticism toward Alexander's divine aspirations, dismissing widespread belief in gods as a trait of the "uneducated" and urging the prince to remain grounded in reason.

His teachings profoundly shape Alexander's worldview, particularly the ideal of uniting knowledge and virtue. Aristotle later reflects on their time together, expressing hope that Alexander will "be that man always" and prove his materialist tutor "a dreamer after all." Lessons on cultural hierarchy and governance resonate through Alexander's later policies, including attempts to integrate Persian and Macedonian traditions.