Humanitext Reader

Marcus Aurelius · Meditations §6.17.1

The Motion of Elements and the Divine Path of Virtue

Passage 154 of 486 · Greek

Summary

Explains that unlike the physical movements of the elements (upward, downward, or circular), the movement of virtue is something more divine and progresses along a path difficult to comprehend.

§6.17.1Ἄνω, κάτω, κύκλῳ φοραὶ τῶν στοιχείων, ἡ δὲ τῆς ἀρετῆς κίνησις ἐν οὐδεμιᾷ τούτων, ἀλλὰ θειότερόν τι καὶ ὁδῷ δυσεπινοήτῳ προιοῦσα εὐοδεῖ.
\nUpward, downward, in a circle are the movements of the elements; but the movement of virtue is in none of these, but being something more divine, advancing by a way difficult to comprehend, it runs its course well.

Notes

  1. §6.17.1θειότερόν τι — The neuter singular phrase is placed in apposition or predicatively to the feminine subject `ἡ κίνησις`, abstractly describing the essence of the movement of virtue as 'something more divine.'
  2. §6.17.1ὁδῷ δυσεπινοήτῳ — 'By a way difficult to comprehend.' The dative `ὁδῷ` indicates the route or manner, modifying the subsequent participle `προιοῦσα` (advancing).

Cite this passage

Marcus Aurelius, Meditations §6.17.1. Humanitext Reader, https://reader.humanitext.ai/en/text/urn:cts:greekLit:tlg0562.tlg001.humanitext-grc2:6.17.1

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