Page:The Emperor Marcus Antoninus - His Conversation with Himself.djvu/235

 Rh proportion your Concern to the Weight, and Importance of Business: Thus you'l be safe against Trifling, and part with Amusements without Regret.

XXXIII. Those Words which were formerly current and proper, are now become Obsolete, and Barbarous. Alas! This is not all: Fame Tarnishes in Time too; And Men grow out of Fashion, as well as Language. Those celebrated Names of Camillus, Cæso, and Volesus are Antiquated; Those of Scipio, Cato, and Augustus will have the same Fortune; and those of Adrian, and Antoninus, must follow. All these Things are Transitory and quickly swallowed up in Oblivion. I speak this of those who have been the wonder of their Age and shin'd with Unusual Lustre. But as for the Rest, they are no sooner Dead, than Forgotten. And if you could Perpetuate your Memory, what does Fame Everlasting signifie? Meer Stuff! What then is it, that's worth ones while to be concern'd for? Why nothing but This; To bear an Honest Mind, to Act for the Good of Society; to Deceive Nobody; to foresee the Worst, and be contented with what happens, upon the Score both of the Cause, and the Necessity.

XXXIV. Put your self frankly into the Hands of Fate, and let her Spin you out what Fortune she pleases. Rh