Page:The Emperor Marcus Antoninus - His Conversation with Himself.djvu/113

 Rh his Engagements, when they diserve his Interest; that promises are only Things of Course, nothing but handsome Baits to catch the unwary ; to keep these Knavish Principles from getting within him ; He lays down this admirable Maxim, which all Princes are concerned to take notice of; Take especial care (says he) never to count any thing an Advantage that will force you, at one time or other, to break your Word. As reasons of State directed ; He frequently chang'd the Governours of Provinces, taking those into his own Hands which had been managed by Proconsuls in behalf of the Senate and Commons, and giving them others govern'd by Deputies and Viceroys Commissionated by himself: And here according to Augustus's Rule, he gave the People such Provinces as he could most confide in, and receiv'd those of which he was less assur'd.

He loved to be throughly informed of what People said of him, not to punish those who took too much Liberty, but to learn what was liked, or dislik'd in his Management; The use that he made of Publick Censure, or Commendation, being only to recover a false step, or go on in a Defensible Method, with better Assurance. And when his Administration, or private