Page:The Emperor Marcus Antoninus - His Conversation with Himself.djvu/308

 128 and Wickedness of the Age? Was he govern'd by no Bodies ignorance ? Did he never question the Equity of Providence, grew surpriz'd at his hard Fortune, and sink under the Weight of it? To conclude, Did he keep Pain and Pleasure at a due distance, and not dip his Soul too deep in his Senses ? These Marks are the only Test of a Great Man; and 'tis to no purpose to pretend to that Character without them.

LXVIII. Nature has not wrought your Composition so close, as to destroy the propertys of Matter, and Spirit : No, the Mind is in a condition to distinguish her Faculties, to set out her Jurisdiction, and do her own business her self. And now I think on't, lodge this always in your Memory ; That a Man may be a first Rate in Vertue, and true Value, and yet be very obscure at the same time. You may likewise observe, that happiness lies in a little Room : Granting your Talent won't reach very far into Logick, and Natural Philosophy. This can't hinder the Freedom and Greatness of your Mind, nor deprive you of the Blessings of Sobriety, Beneficence, and Resignation.

LXIX. You may live with all the freedom and satisfaction imaginable, tho' the whole World should Bawl against you, Rh