Humanitext Reader

Marcus Aurelius · Meditations §6.58.1

Living by One's Nature and the Universal Nature

Passage 195 of 486 · Greek

Summary

It states that no one can prevent one from living according to their own nature, and nothing can happen contrary to the common nature of the universe.

§6.58.1Κατὰ τὸν λόγον τῆς σῆς φύσεως βιοῦν σε οὐδεὶς κωλύσει· παρὰ τὸν λόγον τῆς κοινῆς φύσεως οὐδέν σοι συμβήσεται.
No one will prevent you from living according to the reason of your own nature; nothing will happen to you contrary to the reason of the common nature.

Notes

  1. §6.58.1βιοῦν σε οὐδεὶς κωλύσει — The verb κωλύω (to prevent) is used with an accusative (σε) and an infinitive (βιοῦν), meaning 'to prevent someone from doing something.' The future tense κωλύσει expresses a confident assurance.
  2. §6.58.1Κατὰ τὸν λόγον... παρὰ τὸν λόγον... — The prepositions κατά (according to) and παρά (contrary to) are symmetrically arranged with the accusative to contrast the individual's nature (τῆς σῆς φύσεως) with the common nature of the universe (τῆς κοινῆς φύσεως), emphasizing their harmony.

Cite this passage

Marcus Aurelius, Meditations §6.58.1. Humanitext Reader, https://reader.humanitext.ai/en/text/urn:cts:greekLit:tlg0562.tlg001.humanitext-grc2:6.58.1

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