Page:The Emperor Marcus Antoninus - His Conversation with Himself.djvu/264

 84 nor Inclination, to bring an Evil upon any thing. This great Being is no way Unfriendly or Hostile in his Nature, He Forms and Governs all things, but hurts nothing.

II. Do but your Duty, and don't trouble your self about your Condition: If you behave your self well; ne're mind whether 'tis in the Cold, or by a good Fire, whether you are overwatched, or satisfied with Sleep, whether you have a Good word, or a Bad one; whether you are in Health, or Dying; For this last must be done at one time or other. 'Tis part of the Business of Life to loose it handsomly. Upon the whole; If we do but manage the Present to Advantage, that's enough.

III. Look throughly into Matters, and let not the Distinction, or intrinsick Value of any thing escape you.

IV. The present appearance of Things, will quickly undergoe a Change; and be either exhaled into Common Matter, or dispersed into their respective Elements.

V. That Intelligent Being that Governs the Universe, has perfect Views of every Thing; His Knowledge penetrates the quality of Matter and sees through all the consequences of his own Operations. Rh