Humanitext Reader

Marcus Aurelius · Meditations §6.11.1

Quickly Returning to Oneself and Harmony When Disturbed

Passage 148 of 486 · Greek

Summary

The author advises that when disturbed by surroundings, one should quickly return to oneself, as repeatedly returning to harmony allows for better control over it.

§6.11.1Ὅταν ἀναγκασθῇς ὑπὸ τῶν περιεστηκότων οἱονεὶ διαταραχθῆναι, ταχέως ἐπάνιθι εἰς σεαυτὸν καὶ μὴ ὑπὲρ τὰ ἀναγκαῖα ἐξίστασο τοῦ ῥυθμοῦ· ἔσῃ γὰρ ἐγκρατέστερος τῆς ἁρμονίας τῷ συνεχῶς εἰς αὐτὴν ἐπανέρχεσθαι.
When you are forced, as it were, to be disturbed by your surroundings, quickly return to yourself, and do not fall out of the rhythm more than is necessary; for you will be more master of the harmony by continually returning to it.

Notes

  1. §6.11.1τῶν περιεστηκότων — The neuter plural genitive participle of the verb περιίστημι (to surround), here governed by the preposition ὑπό. It refers to 'circumstances that surround one' or 'external events.'
  2. §6.11.1ἐγκρατέστερος τῆς ἁρμονίας — The comparative form of the adjective ἐγκρατής (in control of, master of). The genitive τῆς ἁρμονίας functions as the object of the adjective, meaning 'more in control of the harmony.'
  3. §6.11.1τῷ... ἐπανέρχεσθαι — An articular infinitive in the dative case (τῷ + present infinitive), expressing means or cause. It is translated as 'by (continually) returning.'

Cite this passage

Marcus Aurelius, Meditations §6.11.1. Humanitext Reader, https://reader.humanitext.ai/en/text/urn:cts:greekLit:tlg0562.tlg001.humanitext-grc2:6.11.1

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.