Humanitext Reader

Marcus Aurelius · Meditations §5.21.1

Honoring the Best in the Universe and in Oneself

Passage 122 of 486 · Greek

Summary

The author advises honoring the supreme entity (reason) that rules and uses all things in the universe, and likewise honoring the highest part within oneself (reason) that governs and directs one's own life.

§5.21.1Τῶν ἐν τῷ κόσμῳ τὸ κράτιστον τίμα· ἔστι δὲ τοῦτο τὸ πᾶσι χρώμενον καὶ πάντα διέπον.
Honor that which is chiefest in the universe; and this is that which makes use of all things and directs all things.
ὁμοίως δὲ καὶ τῶν ἐν σοὶ τὸ κράτιστον τίμα· ἔστι δὲ τοῦτο τὸ ἐκείνῳ ὁμογενές.
And in like manner, honor also that which is chiefest in yourself; and this is that which is of like nature with the former.
καὶ γὰρ ἐπὶ σοῦ τὸ τοῖς ἄλλοις χρώμενον τοῦτό ἐστι καὶ ὁ σὸς βίος ὑπὸ τούτου διοικεῖται.
For in your case too, that which makes use of all other things is this, and your life is directed by this.

Notes

  1. §5.21.1τὸ πᾶσι χρώμενον — The present participle `χρώμενον` (from `χράομαι`) takes the dative case, making `πᾶσι` (dative plural, "all things") its object. It describes the active, utilizing function of the ruling reason of the universe.
  2. §5.21.1ἐπὶ σοῦ — The preposition `ἐπί` with the genitive case `σοῦ` expresses limitation or reference ("in your case", "with respect to you"). It is used to draw an analogy between the ruling principle of the universe and that within the individual.
  3. §5.21.1τὸ τοῖς ἄλλοις χρώμενον τοῦτό ἐστι — The demonstrative pronoun `τοῦτο` serves as the predicate nominative, while the participial phrase `τὸ τοῖς ἄλλοις χρώμενον` ("that which makes use of other things") is the subject (or vice versa in an emphasizing structure). It identifies the governing part of the soul (reason) that controls all other parts with the "best thing within you."

Cite this passage

Marcus Aurelius, Meditations §5.21.1. Humanitext Reader, https://reader.humanitext.ai/en/text/urn:cts:greekLit:tlg0562.tlg001.humanitext-grc2:5.21.1

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