Page:The Emperor Marcus Antoninus - His Conversation with Himself.djvu/259

 Rh Jupiter: Now this Divine Authority is neither more, nor less, than that Soul and Reason, which every Man carries about him.

XXVIII. Are you angry at a Rank Smell, or an ill scented Breath? Why if a Man's Lungs, or Stomach, are ulcerated, or his Arm-pits out of Order, how can he help it. But you'l say, the case is not paralel, between an ill Action, and an ill Breath; the one is Choice, and the other Necessity. Well, If you think Mankind so full of Reason, pray make use of your own : Argue the Case with the Faulty Person, and show him his Error : If your Advice prevails, he is what you would have him; and then there is no need of being angry : And lastly, Don't mismanage either by your Haughtiness, or Servility.

XXIX. You may live now if you please, as you would chuse to do if you were near dying: But suppose People won't let you; why then give Life the Slip, but by no means make a Misfortune on't. If the Room smoaks I leave it, and there's an end, for why should one be concern'd at the matter ? However, if nothing of this kind drives me out, I'le stay, behave my self like a Man of Spirit, and do what I have a mind to; but then I'le have a mind to nothing but what I am led to by Reason and publick Interest. Rh