Page:The Emperor Marcus Antoninus - His Conversation with Himself.djvu/232

 52 Bounty of Fate: 'Twas all of it preordain'd you by the Universal Cause. Upon the whole; Life is but short, therefore be Just, and Prudent, and make your most on't. And when you Divert your self, be always upon your Guard.

XXVII. The World is either the Effect of Contrivance or Chance; If the latter, 'tis a World for all that, that is to say, 'Tis a Regular and Beautiful Structure. Now can any Man discover Symetry in his own Shape, and yet take the Universe for an Heap of Rubbish? I say the Universe, in which the very Discord, and Confusion of the Elements, settles into Harmony and Order.

XXVIII. There are several sorts of scandalous Tempers, some Malicious, and some effeminate, others Obstinate, Brutish, and Savage. Some Humours are Childish, and Silly: some False, and others Scurrilous, some Mercenary, and some Tyrannical.

XXIX. Not to know what's in the World, and not to know what's Done in the World, comes much to the same Thing, and a Man is one way no less a Stranger, than t'other. To proceed. He is no better than a Deserter that renounces Publick Reason, and the Laws of Providence. He is a Blind Man, that Winks with his Understanding; And he is a Beggar that is not furnished Rh