Page:The Emperor Marcus Antoninus - His Conversation with Himself.djvu/306

 126 He is oblig'd to stand strong against Chance, and secure himself as occasion shall offer.

LXIII. Well! It seems you desire to be commended : But what sort of People are They that must do you this Kindness, and how are their Understandings Furnish'd? Truly if you do but consider the Size of their Sense, and the disorder of their Passions, you'l pity their ignorant Misbehaviour, and not care a rush for their Approbation.

LXIV. 'Tis a saying of Plato's, that no Body misses Truth by their Good-will. The same may be said with reference to Honesty, Sobriety, Good Nature, and the like: Be particularly careful to remember this Hint, for 'twill help to sweeten your Temper.

LXV. When you lye under any Corporal Affliction, let this Lenitive be at hand to relieve you ; That there is no Scandal in Pain, That the Soveraign Part of your Mind is ne'er the worse for it. For how can she suffer, unless her Essence, or her Benevolence were impaired? Besides, Epicurus's Maxim will help to support you under most Pains; For as he observes, They will either be Tolerable, or quickly over. But then you must keep your Notions Tight, and not run into the common Opinion about them. And here you must Rh