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Better would be: “the measure of aristocracy is arete (‘excellence’); of oligarchy, wealth; of democracy, freedom.” It’s condensed and distorted—not to be taken as Aristotelian. But I think the given passages have been adequately covered now.

I was wrong when I said all my doubts have been aswered; the right understanding would then be “Aristocracy’s measure (of one’s power) is his class, oligarchy’s his wealth, and democracy’s his freedom”?

And thus all my doubts have been answered! Much thanks, Bedwere, Ioannis and Michael!

Aristotle’s 2nd passage means that the best city is the one consisting/made of the best citizens (or if you like laws and similar, I don’t remember how he goes on in the text).
In the 1st passage, ὅρος means definition, signpost (both literal meanings). Ὁρίζω the verb means define.
Plato’s passage: ἄγαν means excessive, above measure. He could use an adjective but it ...

the proverbial expression «περὶ ὄνου σκιᾶς» is coming from a speech of Demosthenes (or an anecdote about one of his speeches). He had been orating for some time and noticed that the public didn’t really pay attention, so he told a small story about an ass and its shadow within his speech. Like a wonder everybody paid attention… He then reprimanded the public that they care mo...