Page:The Emperor Marcus Antoninus - His Conversation with Himself.djvu/186

 6 them right, by speaking the Thing properly my self, and that either by way of Answer, Assent, or Enquiry; or by some such other remote, and Gentlemanly Correction. XI. Fronto my Rhetorick Master, obliged me with the knowledge of Men : For the purpose, that Envy , Tricking, and Dissimulation, are the Character and Consequences of Tyranny; And that those we call Top Quality, have commonly not much of Nature in them.

XII. Alexander the Platonist advised me, that without Necessity I should never pretend not to be at Leisure to assist a Friend. Nor make Business an Excuse to decline the Offices of Humanity.

XIII. I learn'd of Catullus not to slight a Friend for making a Remonstrance, tho it should happen to be unreasonable, but rather to retrieve his Temper, and make him Easy. That like Domitius and Athenodotus, I should never be backward to give an Honourable Character of those who had the Care of my Education : And that I should always preserve an Hearty Affection for my Children, without any little Jealousies of being supplanted, or overtopp'd by them.

XIV. I am indebted to Severus for the due regard I have for my Family and Re- Rh