Page:The Emperor Marcus Antoninus - His Conversation with Himself.djvu/213

 Rh ways in a readiness to quit the Field, at the first sounding of the Retreat. In the mean time manage your Credit so, that you need neither Swear your self, nor want a Voucher. Let your Air be chearful; depend not upon Foreign Supports, nor beg your Happiness of another. And in a word, never throw away your Legs, to stand upon Crutches.

VI. If in the whole compass of Humane Life,you find any thing preferable to Juftice and Truth, to Temperance, and Fortitude; To a Mind Self-satisfied with its own Rational Conduct,and entirely resign'd to Fate: If I say you know any Thing better than this, never balk your Fancy, count it your Supream Happiness, and make the most on't you can. But if there is nothing more valuable than that the Genius and Spirit within you should be Absolute in its Reason, Master of its Appetites, enquire nicely into the Quality of an Object, If there's nothing more to be wish'd than that with Socrates, it should stand off from the Impressions of Sence; submit to the Government of the Gods, and be helpful, and benevolent to Mankind; If all things are Trifles with respect to this, don't divide your Inclinations, misplace your Thoughts, and weaken your Satisfaction, by any Foreign Pursuits: Rational Choice, and Benevolent Rh