Page:The Emperor Marcus Antoninus - His Conversation with Himself.djvu/289

 Rh after all, tho' Humane Life is but ordinary, and trifling, a Wise Man must be easie and Good-humour'd, and not grow Splenetick, or Haughty upon the Contemplation. Remembring notwithftanding, that the true Bulk and Bigness of a Man, is to be measur'd by the size of his Business, and the Quality of his Inclinations.

IV. Don't let either Discourse, or Action pass unobserved, attend to the Sence and Signification of the one, and to the Tendency and Design of the other.

V. Am I sufficiently qualify'd for this Business or not? If I am, I'le make use of my Talent as given me by Heaven for that purpose. If I am not, i'le either let it alone, and Resign it to a better Capacity, or else i'le do what I can, I'le give my Advice, and put the executing Part into an Abler Hand ; And thus by looking out for help, the Juncture may be nick'd, and the General Interest secur'd. For whatsoever I Act either by my self, or in Conjunction with another, I am always to aim at the advantage of the Community.

VI. How many Famous Men are dropt out of History, and forgotten ? And how many Poets and Panegyrists, that promised to keep up other Peoples Names, have lost their own? Rh