§4.13.1“Λόγον ἔχεις; ” “ἔχω. ” “τί οὖν οὐ χρᾷ;
“Do you have reason?” “I do.” “Why then do you not use it?
τούτου γὰρ τὸ ἑαυτοῦ ποιοῦντος τί ἄλλο θέλεις; ”
For if this does its own part, what else do you want?”
Marcus Aurelius · Meditations §4.13.1
Possessing Reason and the Sufficiency of Its Function
Summary
The author asks himself about the possession and use of reason, pointing out that if reason performs its own function, there is nothing more to desire.
Notes
- 4.13.1χρᾷ — Second person singular present middle of the verb χράομαι (to use). This verb regularly takes a dative object, which is omitted here as it clearly refers back to the preceding λόγον (reason).
- 4.13.1τούτου γὰρ τὸ ἑαυτοῦ ποιοῦντος — A genitive absolute construction. τούτου (genitive) serves as the subject of the participle ποιοῦντος (doing) and refers back to λόγου (reason). τὸ ἑαυτοῦ (its own part/duty) is the object of the participle. The clause expresses a condition: "for if this does its own part."
Cite this passage
Marcus Aurelius, Meditations §4.13.1. Humanitext Reader, https://reader.humanitext.ai/en/text/urn:cts:greekLit:tlg0562.tlg001.humanitext-grc2:4.13.1
Please note the AI-draft status of the translation and the date accessed.
Translation, notes and summary are AI-generated drafts, revised through reader feedback.