Humanitext Reader

Marcus Aurelius · Meditations §6.19.1

Believing That Human Possibility Is Attainable by Oneself

Passage 156 of 486 · Greek

Summary

The author advises not to assume something is impossible for humans just because it is difficult for oneself, but to believe that whatever is possible and proper for humans is also attainable for oneself.

§6.19.1Μή, εἴ τι αὐτῷ σοὶ δυσκαταπόνητον, τοῦτο ἀνθρώπῳ ἀδύνατον ὑπολαμβάνειν, ἀλλ’ εἴ τι ἀνθρώπῳ δυνατὸν καὶ οἰκεῖον, τοῦτο καὶ σεαυτῷ ἐφικτὸν νόμιζε.
Do not, if something is difficult for you yourself to accomplish, assume that this is impossible for a human being; but if anything is possible and proper for a human being, consider this to be attainable by yourself as well.

Notes

  1. §6.19.1ὑπολαμβάνειν — An independent infinitive (imperative infinitive) used with the negative particle μή to express a prohibition. It corresponds to the imperative νόμιζε in the second half of the sentence.
  2. §6.19.1δυσκαταπόνητον — An adjective derived from the prefix δυσ- (difficult) and the verb καταπονέω (to wear down with labor, to accomplish through effort), meaning 'hard to accomplish.' The copula verb ἐστί is omitted here.
  3. §6.19.1οἰκεῖον — With the literal meaning of 'one's own' or 'proper,' this term plays a crucial role in the Stoic context, meaning 'appropriate to' or 'in accordance with' human (rational) nature.

Cite this passage

Marcus Aurelius, Meditations §6.19.1. Humanitext Reader, https://reader.humanitext.ai/en/text/urn:cts:greekLit:tlg0562.tlg001.humanitext-grc2:6.19.1

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