Page:The Emperor Marcus Antoninus - His Conversation with Himself.djvu/252

 72 thing will befall me, but what is for the Interest of the Universe : The other, that no body can command my Practice, or force me to act against my own Judgment.

XI. What use do I put my Soul to, or what Hand do I make of my Reason? 'Tis a serviceable question this, and should frequently be put to ones self? I say, how does my soveraign Part stand affected? And what's the Furniture and Complexion of my Mind? Is there nothing of the Boy or the Beast in't? Nothing that's either Tyrannical, or Effeminate?

XII. What sort of good Things those are, which are commonly so reckoned, you may learn from hence : For the purpose, if you reflect upon those Qualities which are intrinsically valuable, such as Prudence, Justice, Temperance and Fortitude, you won't find a jest upon them apt to Relish, and make Sport : Whereas upon the advantages of Fortune and Common Estimation, a piece of Raillery will pass well enough. Thus we see the generality are struck with the distinction, otherwise they would not dislike the Liberty in one Case, and allow it in the other. The Felicities of Riches, Luxury, and Ambition, are all within the privilege of Buffoons, and liable to the Lash of the Stage : Now what Rh