Page:The Emperor Marcus Antoninus - His Conversation with Himself.djvu/29

 he rather commends him for humouring his Palate, and making much of himself. He does so, provided he stands clear of Inconvenience ; and in order to this, especial care must be taken to get the better of his Conscience, and drive Religion out of his Head : Why, when does Epicurus fall foul upon Spendthrifts and Libertines ? Because they are Blockheads, and have no Discretion with their Vice ; because ''they run themselves out of breath, and destroy the Pleasure with their Eagerness. Their unmanagableness ruins their Health, and their Fortune, and their Reputation, and more than that, it often brings them under the lash of the Law. These are the strict Morals, the hard Lessons of Epicurus'''s School, and the rugged Penance he puts his Proselytes upon! He gives them their full Freedom in Debauchery : But then they must be lewd like Men of Sense, and Understanding ; for to over-drive their Constitution, and lose their Credit, and bring themselves to Beggary, and Trouble, these are bad things indeed !

But notwithstanding the Liberty of their Principles, and their Idolizing of Pleasure, there were several of them Men of great Temperance, and Frugality : Epicurus will tell you, that he could satisfy his Stomach for a half Penny ; And Metrodorus, Rh