Page:The Emperor Marcus Antoninus - His Conversation with Himself.djvu/196

 16 And since it's fallen to my share to understand the Natural Beauty of a good Action, and the Deformity of an ill One; since I am satisfied the Person disobliging is of Kin to me, and tho we are not just of the same Flesh and Blood, yet our Minds are nearly related, being both extracted from the Deity; since I am likewise convinc'd that no Man can do me a real injury, because no Man can force me to misbehave my self; For these Reasons, I can't find in my Heart to Hate, or to be Angry with one of my own Nature and Family. For we are all made for mutual Assistance, no less than the Parts of the Body are for the Service of the whole; From whence it follows that Clashing and Opposition is perfectly Unnatural: Now such an unfriendly Disposition is imply'd in Resentment and Aversion.

II. This Being of mine, all that's on't, consists of Body, Breath, and that Part which governs: Now would you examine your whole Composition? Pray then let your Library alone, what need you puzzle your Thoughts, and over-grasp your self? To come to the Enquiry : As for your Carcass, value it no more than if you were just expiring, and taking Leave on't. For what is it in comparison? nothing but a little paltry Blood and Bones; a piece of Rh