§12.10.1Τοιαῦτα τὰ πράγματα ὁρᾶν, διαιροῦντα εἰς ὕλην, αἴτιον, ἀναφοράν.
You must see things in this way, dividing them into matter, cause, and purpose.
Marcus Aurelius · Meditations §12.10.1
Analyzing Things by Matter, Cause, and Purpose
Summary
It advises analyzing and understanding all things by dividing them into three components: matter, cause, and purpose.
Notes
- 12.10.1ὁρᾶν — An infinitive used as an imperative (infinitive of command), meaning "one must see" or "see!".
- 12.10.1διαιροῦντα — Present active participle, masculine singular accusative. It agrees with the implied accusative subject of the infinitive ὁρᾶν (second person singular, σέ), indicating the manner or attendant circumstance: "by dividing..." or "dividing...".
- 12.10.1ἀναφοράν — Meaning "reference", "relation", or "purpose (end)". Here it refers to the ultimate "purpose" or "relation" to which the thing is directed, as one of the constituent elements of analysis.
Cite this passage
Marcus Aurelius, Meditations §12.10.1. Humanitext Reader, https://reader.humanitext.ai/en/text/urn:cts:greekLit:tlg0562.tlg001.humanitext-grc2:12.10.1
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