Page:The Emperor Marcus Antoninus - His Conversation with Himself.djvu/278

 98 out of their knowledge, or work against the Rules of their Trade? And is it not a scandalous business, that an Architect or a Physician, should have more regard for their Profession, then a Man has for his? For His I say, in which he has the honour of the Gods for his Partners. And what's a Man's Trade simply considered as a Man ? Why nothing but the study and practice of Virtue, and Moral Philosophy.

XXXVI. The vast Continents of Europe and Asia, are but Corners of the Creation : The Ocean is but a drop, and Mount Athos but a Grain in respect of the Universe : And the present instant of Time but a Point to the extent of Eternity. These things have all of them Little, Changeable, and Transitory Beings : Remember likewise that all things proceed from the Soul of the Universe, either by direct, or consequential Causality. Thus the growling Deformity of a Lyon, the Poyson of Serpents, Thorns and Dirt, and whatever seems Caurse, or Offensive in Nature, start out of something more Noble, or belong to the Entireness of her Beautiful Productions. Don't therefore suppose them insignificant and unworthy the Being you worship, but consider the Fountain from whence all things spring. Rh