Page:The Emperor Marcus Antoninus - His Conversation with Himself.djvu/28

 not their Chief, Epicurus, very satyrical upon ''the Libertines ? Does he not reprimand the Folly of those People who are overset with Pleasure, blinded with Appetite, and carried off with the Blandishments of Sense ? And while they lye thus at the Mercy of Luxury, and Lust, they never consider what Diseases they bring upon themselves, how much pain they are likely to feel, and how dear the Frolick will cost them?''

But now by the last Sentence of his Correstion we may discover the Ground of his falling out with these Sparks. The good Man does not lash their Vice out of any ill will to't ; he is no Enemy to Debauchery ; For all Pleasure, let it come which way 'twill, is a good thing : Therefore says he, If those Satisfactions which gratify a Libertine, could deliver him from the Rebukes of Conscience and the fear of Death, and Apprehensions of Pain, if they could do this, and set Bounds of Convenience to his Fancy, I should have nothing to object against his Method ; I should rather applaud his Choice, and encourage his Freedom ; For when a Man is brim full of Delight, and has nothing to trouble him ; he can't be in an Ill way ; for nothing but Pain and uneasy thinking, are Evil. Here we see plainly this Philosopher has no quarrel with a Debauchee for his Lewdness ; Rh