Humanitext Reader

Marcus Aurelius · Meditations §10.24.1

Self-Examination of the Ruling Center

Passage 398 of 486 · Greek

Summary

The author questions the current state and purpose of his own ruling center (hegemonikon), asking whether it is devoid of reason, detached from community, or subservient to the flesh.

§10.24.1Τί ἐστί μοι τὸ ἡγεμονικόν μου καὶ ποῖόν τι αὐτὸ ἐγὼ ποιῶ νῦν καὶ πρὸς τί ποτε αὐτῷ νῦν χρῶμαι;
What is my ruling center to me, and what am I making it now, and for what purpose am I now using it?
μήτι κενὸν νοῦ ἐστι;
Is it not empty of intellect?
μήτι ἀπόλυτον καὶ ἀπεσπασμένον κοινωνίας;
Is it not cut off and detached from community?
μήτι προστετηκὸς καὶ ἀνακεκραμένον τῷ σαρκιδίῳ, ὥστε τούτῳ συντρέπεσθαι;
Is it not glued to and blended with this poor flesh, so as to turn along with it?

Notes

  1. §10.24.1μοι — Dative of interest (or ethical dative), adding the sense of 'to me' or 'for me' in relation to the ruling center.
  2. §10.24.1κοινωνίας — Genitive of separation, modifying both the preceding adjective ἀπόλυτον and the perfect passive participle ἀπεσπασμένον.
  3. §10.24.1συντρέπεσθαι — Infinitive introduced by the conjunction ὥστε expressing result. Meaning 'to run along with', hence to be carried away by or conform to the movements of the flesh.

Cite this passage

Marcus Aurelius, Meditations §10.24.1. Humanitext Reader, https://reader.humanitext.ai/en/text/urn:cts:greekLit:tlg0562.tlg001.humanitext-grc2:10.24.1

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