Page:The Emperor Marcus Antoninus - His Conversation with Himself.djvu/231

 Rh thing but what Reason prescribes, and in the Order too she prescribes it. For by this Rule a Man may both secure the Quality, and draw in the Bulk of his Business; And have the double Pleasure of making his Actions Good, and Few, into the Bargain. For the greatest part of what we say and do, being unnecessary; If this were but once retrench'd, we should have both more Leisure, and less Disturbance. And therefore before a Man sets forward He should ask himself this Question; Am I not upon the Verge of something unnecessary and impertinent? Farther; We should apply this Hint to what we Think, as well as to what we Do; For Impertinence of Thought; draws Unnecessary Action after it.

XXV. Bring the Matter to an Issue, make an Experiment upon your self, and examine your Proficiency in a Life of Virtue; Try how you can acquiesce in your Fate, and whether your own Honesty, and Good Nature will content you.

XXVI. Have you seen one sort of Fortune? Pray view t'other too; ne'er be disturb'd, but reduce your Person to its natural Bulk, and be not Concern'd for more than belongs to you. Is any Man guilty of a Fault? 'Tis to himself then: Has any Advantage happen'd to you? 'Tis the Rh