Page:The Emperor Marcus Antoninus - His Conversation with Himself.djvu/285

 Rh so Entertaing as a lively Image of the Virtues, and Advantages of those we Converse with. Let such an Idea therefore be always ready, and at hand.

XLIX. You are not Angry because you weigh so light in the Scale; and don't Ride Forty Stone: Why then should you be dissatisfied because your Life is not drawn out to an unusual, and extraordinary Period? You ought to be no more Covetous of Time, than you are of Bulk, but be contented with the common Allowance.

L. 'Tis good to try to bring People to a right understanding of the Case; but if they grow troublesome, be govern'd by your own Conscience, and never ask any bodies leave to be Honest. If there comes a force upon you, and stops your Progress, disengage and be easy, and make a Virtue of Necessity. Remember that you undertook the Business, upon the condition of its being Feasible, and ner'e pretended to grasp at Impossibilities. What was it then you aim'd at? Why to do your best, and secure your Reason. Right! And this may be effectually done, tho' the Enterprize should happen to miscarry.

LI. The Ambitious Person Lodges his Happiness in the Fancy of another: The Voluptuary Admires at Home, and Rh