Humanitext Reader

Marcus Aurelius · Meditations §11.7.1

One's Present Condition as Most Suited for Philosophy

Passage 419 of 486 · Greek

Summary

The author reflects on how the current condition of one's life, whatever it may be, is the most suitable state for practicing philosophy.

§11.7.1Πῶς ἐναργὲς προσπίπτει τὸ μὴ εἶναι ἄλλην βίου ὑπόθεσιν εἰς τὸ φιλοσοφεῖν οὕτως ἐπιτήδειον ὡς ταύτην, ἐν ᾗ νῦν ὢν τυγχάνεις.
How clearly it strikes you that there is no other condition of life so well suited for philosophizing as this one in which you now happen to be.

Notes

  1. §11.7.1τὸ μὴ εἶναι — The articular infinitive clause serves as the subject of the verb `προσπίπτει` (to present itself, strike). The subject of the infinitive `εἶναι` is the accusative noun phrase `ἄλλην βίου ὑπόθεσιν` (other condition of life).
  2. §11.7.1ὢν τυγχάνεις — The verb `τυγχάνω` with a participle (here the present participle `ὢν` of `εἰμί`) emphasizes a present, actual state of affairs, meaning "you happen to be currently in."

Cite this passage

Marcus Aurelius, Meditations §11.7.1. Humanitext Reader, https://reader.humanitext.ai/en/text/urn:cts:greekLit:tlg0562.tlg001.humanitext-grc2:11.7.1

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