Page:The Emperor Marcus Antoninus - His Conversation with Himself.djvu/272

 92 as a dangerous Person in Conversation. 'Tis true, when we are at the Exercise, we Guard, and Paree; But all this is done without raising ill Blood, or looking upon the Man as an Enemy. Let us act at this rate in the other Instances of Life: When we receive a Blow, let us not think our selves in a Battle, but at a Tryal of Skill. We may Fence as I said before, and manage the Contest with Caution, but not with Malice, and Ill Will.

XXI. If any one can convince me of an Error, I shall be very glad to change my Opinion, for Truth is my Business ; and right Information hurts no body. No: He that continues in Ignorance and Mistake, 'tis He that receives the Mischief.

XXII. I'll do my Duty, that's enough. As for other Things I shall ne'er be disturb'd about them. For if they happen to come cross, 'Tis but considering that They are either without Life, or without Reason, or without Judgment, and thus I can easily pass them over.

XXIII. As for Brute-Animals, and Things undignified with Reason, use them Freely, and Boldly, as being of a superior Order your self. But Treat Men like Beings of your own kind, and Members of the same Society. And in all your Affairs invoke the Gods for their Assistance. As Rh