πρὸ ὁδοῦ [γίνεται] τὸ τῆς ὁδοῦ ταύτης ἐνστατικόν -> what is an obstacle on this way turns into a furtherance (Marcus Aurelius 5.20.1.9)

[maythelord]

• Tweet

Hi!

Im trying to find a specific passage of the book, in its original Koine Greek. The english translation is:

The impediment to action advances action. What stands in the way becomes the way.

While the original text is:

καὶ πρὸ ἔργου γίνεται τὸ τοῦ ἔργου τούτου ἐφεκτικὸν καὶ πρὸ ὁδοῦ τὸ τῆς ὁδοῦ ταύτης ἐνστατικόν.

I want to find in the original the part that says "What stands in the ways becomes the way", but am having a lot of trouble

Would be amazing if somebody could help, its for a tattoo so I'll only do it if I'm very sure. =)

[billberg23]

The verb γίνεται ("becomes," "is made") from the first clause is understood in the second.  Long's translation of the whole passage: for the mind converts and changes every hindrance to its activity into an aid; and so that which is a hindrance is made a furtherance to an act; and that which is an obstacle on the road helps us on this road.