Marcus Aurelius · Meditations §6.43.1

Distinct Roles of Gods and Cosmic Cooperation

Passage 180 of 486 · Greek

Summary

Using the specific roles of nature and gods, such as the sun and Asclepius, the passage shows that although they are different, they all work together for the same cosmic purpose.

§6.43.1Μήτι ὁ ἥλιος τὰ τοῦ ὑετοῦ ἀξιοῖ ποιεῖν;

Does the sun claim to do the work of the rain?

μήτι ὁ Ἀσκληπιὸς τὰ τῆς Καρποφόρου;

Does Asclepius claim to do the work of the Fruit-bearer?

τί δὲ τῶν ἄστρων ἕκαστον;

And what of each of the stars?

οὐχὶ διάφορα μέν, συνεργὰ δὲ πρὸς ταὐτόν;

Are they not different, yet working together for the same end?

Notes

§6.43.1τὰ τοῦ ὑετοῦ — The neuter plural article τὰ followed by a genitive noun means 'the things of...' or here 'the duties/roles of...'. The subsequent phrase τὰ τῆς Καρποφόρου shares this structure, with the verb phrase ἀξιοῖ ποιεῖν being omitted.
§6.43.1διάφορα μέν, συνεργὰ δέ — Neuter plural adjectives serving as predicates for the preceding ἄστρων (or more broadly, all the elements of the universe mentioned, including the sun and the deities). The verb (likely εἰσίν) is omitted, expressing the cosmic order where different entities work together despite their diverse roles.

Cite this passage

Marcus Aurelius, Meditations §6.43.1. Humanitext Reader, https://reader.humanitext.ai/en/text/urn:cts:greekLit:tlg0562.tlg001.humanitext-grc2:6.43.1

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