Arête is a Greek word meaning the aggregate of qualities making up good and moral character. It is the act of striving toward excellence and the sincere attempt of fulfilling one's life purpose. The Greek individual was duty bound to lead this moral life. Deeds of heroism and conviction were not out of a sense of duty toward others, but rather seen as a duty toward fulfilling their own purpose which in turn would serve the polis (the Greek concept of serving for the good of the whole)
We would call this act of striving for excellence as 'living up to one's potential'. Thus, if we were living according to arete, we would be striving for excellence by reaching full potential in our talents, abilities, and overall moral goodness.
The Greeks believed that the community, or polis, was the only framework within which humans could fully realize his/her spiritual, moral, and intellectual capacities. Polis enhanced community life based on the kinship with others. Religion, art, and even contests and games met the needs of those duty bound to have their moral rectitude tested...this could only fully be satisfied through polis. All efforts were, with a mandated purpose, made in order to keep going forward...of moving more toward arete...
Do our thoughts and actions demonstrate the moral virtue of knowledge and goodness? Of permanence over the transient? Or, rather, what is momentarily and selfishly motivated over what is going to matter for the good of the whole? Something that is going to endure...
The Greeks thought this striving for excellence was their highest goal and purpose, they were duty bound to pursue intellectual avenues of becoming more self-aware and empathetic to the suffering and plight of others.
You experience life...what will you do with it? What will be our contributions to a universe that is moral, right, and good? Actions have their consequences; ill judged actions must have uncomfortable results if the moral order is to be continually restored.
I think of my life like a leaf on a tree in the middle of a forest. I am but one leaf, on one tree, in one forest. But I will do my best to strive, to arete, to last as long as I can for the intended good purpose I was meant to fulfill...I will strive for the potential of giving shade to the forest floor...knowing that even at the end, when I fall, I will have at least helped enrich the soil for the next generation to come.