Humanitext Reader

Marcus Aurelius · Meditations §6.59.1

The Vanity of Pleasing Others and the Rapid Oblivion of Time

Passage 196 of 486 · Greek

Summary

The author points out the vanity of those whom people wish to please and their activities, warning how quickly time sweeps everything into oblivion.

§6.59.1Οἷοί εἰσιν οἷς θέλουσιν ἀρέσκειν, καὶ δι’ οἷα περιγινόμενα καὶ δι’ οἵων ἐνεργειῶν.
What kind of people they are whom they wish to please, and for the sake of what results and through what kind of activities.
ὡς ταχέως ὁ αἰὼν πάντα καλύψει καὶ ὅσα ἐκάλυψεν ἤδη.
How quickly eternity will cover all things, and how many it has covered already.

Notes

  1. §6.59.1Οἷοί εἰσιν — An indirect question or exclamation with the main governing verb (such as 'consider' or 'see') omitted. The context implies an exhortation to reflect on the true nature of those who seek to please others.
  2. §6.59.1δι’ οἷα περιγινόμενα — The word περιγινόμενα is the neuter plural accusative participle of περιγίγνομαι ('to result, accrue') used substantively. The preposition διά with the accusative expresses purpose or cause ('for the sake of what results'), contrasting with the following διά with the genitive (δι’ οἵων ἐνεργειῶν, 'through what kind of activities') expressing means or agency.

Cite this passage

Marcus Aurelius, Meditations §6.59.1. Humanitext Reader, https://reader.humanitext.ai/en/text/urn:cts:greekLit:tlg0562.tlg001.humanitext-grc2:6.59.1

Please note the AI-draft status of the translation and the date accessed.

Translation, notes and summary are AI-generated drafts, revised through reader feedback.