Page:The Emperor Marcus Antoninus - His Conversation with Himself.djvu/317

 Rh Figs? Why then should it seem strange to us, for the World to Act like it self, and produce things pursuant to Quality, and Kind ? This is just as Foolish as it would be for a Physician to wonder at a Fever, or a Master of a Vessel at a cross Blast of Wind.

XVI. To Retract, or mend a Fault at the Admonition of a Friend, hurts your Credit or Liberty, no more than if you had grown wiser upon your own Thought. For 'tis still your own Judgment and Temper, which makes you see your mistake, and willing to retrieve it.

XVII. If what is done displeases you, why do you do it, if 'tis in your power to let it alone? But if you can't help it, who do you complain of? The Atomes, or the Gods? Either way is distraction, and therefore we must murmur against nothing. If you can mend the Matter, go about it: If you cannot, what are you the better for Grumbling? Now a Man should never do any thing to no purpose.

XVIII. Whatever drops out of Life, is catch't up somewhere, for the World loses nothing. Within this Circumference of Corporeity, all things have their several Formes, and Revolutions ; And here 'tis likewise that they return into Element, and first Principle ; Under which Notion those Rh