Humanitext Reader

Marcus Aurelius · Meditations §7.52.1

Skill in Craft versus True Excellence in Moral Virtue

Passage 248 of 486 · Greek

Summary

Points out that even if someone is more skilled in a specific art (such as horsemanship), they are not necessarily superior in social responsibility or moral virtues like modesty, resilience, and tolerance.

§7.52.1Καββαλικώτερος, ἀλλ’ οὐχὶ κοινωνικώτερος οὐδὲ αἰδημονέστερος οὐδ’ εὐτακτότερος ἐπὶ τοῖς συμβαίνουσιν οὐδὲ εὐμενέστερος πρὸς τὰ τῶν πλησίον παροράματα.
More skilled in horsemanship, but not more public-spirited, nor more self-respecting, nor more orderly in the face of what happens, nor more benevolent toward the slips of neighbors.

Notes

  1. 7.52.1Καββαλικώτερος — While some manuscripts read `καταβαλτικώτερος` ('more skilled in throwing down/wrestling') or `κυβευτικώτερος` ('more skilled at dicing'), the reading `Καββαλικώτερος` is interpreted here as the comparative of `καβαλλικός` ('pertaining to horses/riding'), meaning 'more skilled in horsemanship'. The sentence omits the subject and copula (and potentially a concessive particle like `εἰ`), functioning as 'Even if someone is more skilled...'
  2. 7.52.1ἐπὶ τοῖς συμβαίνουσιν — The preposition `ἐπί` with the dative case here denotes the attitude or reaction 'towards' or 'in the face of' circumstances. It governs the neuter present participle `συμβαίνουσιν` ('things that happen/befall').
  3. 7.52.1πρὸς τὰ τῶν πλησίον παροράματα — The preposition `πρός` with the accusative indicates the attitude or relation 'toward'. The genitive substantivized adverbial phrase `τῶν πλησίον` ('of neighbors') is embedded attributively between the article `τὰ` and the noun `παροράματα` ('errors/slips').

Cite this passage

Marcus Aurelius, Meditations §7.52.1. Humanitext Reader, https://reader.humanitext.ai/en/text/urn:cts:greekLit:tlg0562.tlg001.humanitext-grc2:7.52.1

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