Humanitext Reader

Marcus Aurelius · Meditations §6.23.1

Right Conduct toward Things and People with Divine Aid

Passage 160 of 486 · Greek

Summary

The author advises treating irrational things with freedom and humans with a social spirit, calling upon the gods in all matters, and performing duty without regard to the duration of time.

§6.23.1Τοῖς μὲν ἀλόγοις ζῴοις καὶ καθόλου πράγμασι καὶ ὑποκειμένοις, ὡς λόγον ἔχων λόγον μὴ ἔχουσι, χρῶ μεγαλοφρόνως καὶ ἐλευθέρως· τοῖς δὲ ἀνθρώποις, ὡς λόγον ἔχουσι, χρῶ κοινωνικῶς·
Treat irrational animals and generally things and objects, as one who has reason treating those who have not, with magnanimity and freedom; but treat humans, as those who have reason, in a social spirit.
ἐφ’ ἅπασι δὲ θεοὺς ἐπικαλοῦ.
And in all things call upon the gods.
καὶ μὴ διαφέρου πρὸς τὸ πόσῳ χρόνῳ ταῦτα πράξεις· ἀρκοῦσι γὰρ καὶ τρεῖς ὧραι τοιαῦται.
And do not trouble yourself as to how long a time you will do these things; for even three hours spent in this manner are sufficient.

Notes

  1. §6.23.1ὡς λόγον ἔχων λόγον μὴ ἔχουσι — The nominative participle ἔχων (singular) agrees with the implied subject of the main imperative χρῶ (second person singular, 'you'), while the dative participle ἔχουσι (plural) agrees with the preceding dative nouns Τοῖς... ζῴοις καὶ... πράγμασι.... This construct concisely contrasts the rational nature of the agent with the irrational nature of the objects.
  2. §6.23.1ὡς λόγον ἔχουσι — The dative plural participle ἔχουσι agrees with the preceding dative noun τοῖς δὲ ἀνθρώποις. It expresses the reason or premise ('inasmuch as they have reason' or 'as those who have reason'), contrasting with the treatment of irrational entities in the first half.
  3. §6.23.1μὴ διαφέρου — Imperative of the passive/middle διαφέρομαι, meaning 'to trouble oneself', 'be anxious', or 'be disturbed'. Used with πρός to urge the reader not to be anxious or concerned about the length of time they perform these virtuous actions.

Cite this passage

Marcus Aurelius, Meditations §6.23.1. Humanitext Reader, https://reader.humanitext.ai/en/text/urn:cts:greekLit:tlg0562.tlg001.humanitext-grc2:6.23.1

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