Page:The Emperor Marcus Antoninus - His Conversation with Himself.djvu/228

 48 and Conscience. Truly as Agatho observes, this malicious, trifling Humour ought to be check'd. In a Word, we must keep to our own Business, for Rambling, and Impertinence is not to be endur'd.

XIX. He that is so very solicitous about being Talk'd of when he is Dead, and makes his Memory his Inclination, does not consider that all his Admirers will quickly be gone. That his Fame will go less in the next Generation, and Flag upon the Course; and like a Ball that's Handed from one to another, 'twill be dropt at last; but granting your Monuments and your Men immortal, what's their Panegyrick to you, when you are Dead, and know nothing of the matter? And if you were Living, what would Commendation signify, unless for the convenience of Imitation? To conclude; if you depend thus servilely upon the good Word of other People; you'l act below your Nature, and neglect the improvement of your self.

XX. Whatever is Good, has that Quality from it self; 'tis finish'd by its own Nature, and Commendation is no part of it. Why then a thing is neither better, nor worse, for being prais'd. This holds concerning Things which are call'd Good in the common way of speaking, as the products of Nature and Art; what do Rh