Humanitext Reader

Marcus Aurelius · Meditations §12.33.1

Importance of the Ruling Center and Worthlessness of External Things

Passage 483 of 486 · Greek

Summary

The passage emphasizes that how the ruling center directs itself is what truly matters, while all other things, regardless of choice, are completely worthless.

§12.33.1Πῶς ἑαυτῷ χρῆται τὸ ἡγεμονικόν;
How does the ruling center employ itself?
ἐν γὰρ τούτῳ τὸ πᾶν ἐστι.
For in this is everything.
τὰ δὲ λοιπὰ ἢ προαιρετικά ἐστιν ἢ ἀπροαίρετα, νεκρὰ καὶ καπνός.
But the rest, whether dependent on choice or independent of choice, are dead and smoke.

Notes

  1. §12.33.1τὸ ἡγεμονικόν — A core Stoic concept referring to the 'ruling center' or 'governing faculty' of the soul. The state and self-use (ἑαυτῷ χρῆται) of this inner faculty constitute the sole source of true value, in contrast to all external things.
  2. §12.33.1ἢ προαιρετικά ἐστιν ἢ ἀπροαίρετα — Meaning 'either within the power of choice (proairesis) or outside of it.' Whether things are subject to our moral volition or are external events beyond our control, they are all completely worthless when compared to the autonomy of the ruling center itself.

Cite this passage

Marcus Aurelius, Meditations §12.33.1. Humanitext Reader, https://reader.humanitext.ai/en/text/urn:cts:greekLit:tlg0562.tlg001.humanitext-grc2:12.33.1

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