Humanitext Reader

Marcus Aurelius · Meditations §8.60.1

Motion of an Arrow and the Mind's Direct Advance

Passage 331 of 486 · Greek

Summary

Comparing the physical motion of a missile with the movement of the mind, this section explains that the mind always moves straight toward its proper goal, even when exercising caution or engaged in inquiry.

§8.60.1Ἄλλως βέλος, ἄλλως νοῦς φέρεται.
In one way a missile is carried, in another way the mind.
ὁ μέντοι νοῦς καὶ ὅταν εὐλαβῆται καὶ ὅταν περὶ τὴν σκέψιν στρέφηται, φέρεται κατ’ εὐθὺ οὐδὲν ἧττον καὶ ἐπὶ τὸ προκείμενον.
However, the mind, both when it is cautious and when it revolves around inquiry, is carried straight forward nonetheless and towards its proposed object.

Notes

  1. 8.60.1ἄλλως ... ἄλλως — The repetition of the adverb ἄλλως forms a contrast meaning "in one way... in another way...", succinctly showing that the movement of a missile and that of the mind (νοῦς) are different in nature.
  2. 8.60.1καὶ ὅταν εὐλαβῆται καὶ ὅταν ... στρέφηται — The correlative καὶ ... καὶ ... connects the two subjunctive clauses introduced by ὅταν, expressing simultaneous concession or condition ("both when... and when...").
  3. 8.60.1οὐδὲν ἧττον — An adverbial accusative meaning "nonetheless" or "no less", emphasizing that the straight progress (φέρεται κατ’ εὐθὺ) of the mind is not compromised even during seemingly circuitous movements such as exercising caution (εὐλαβῆται) or revolving in inquiry (στρέφηται).

Cite this passage

Marcus Aurelius, Meditations §8.60.1. Humanitext Reader, https://reader.humanitext.ai/en/text/urn:cts:greekLit:tlg0562.tlg001.humanitext-grc2:8.60.1

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