Page:The Emperor Marcus Antoninus - His Conversation with Himself.djvu/323

 Rh Affairs in this condition. But may not some Obstacle without interpose ? No: Not so far as to prevent your Acting like a Man of Probity and Prudence. For all that, my Motions may be check'd, and my Design balk'd : 'Tis no matter for that. As long as you are easie under the Obstruction, and pass on smoothly to what comes next; This Behaviour is as good as going thorough, and serves your Improvement, as well as Success.

XXXIII. As to the Case of good Fortune ; Take it without Pride, and Resign without Reluctance.

XXXIV. If you have observ'd a Hand, or a Foot, cut off, and removed from the Body, just such a thing is that Man to his Power, who is either a Malecontent, or Over-selfish ; who struggles against Fate, or breaks off from the Interest of Mankind. This untoward behaviour amounts to Amputation, and destroys the Union of Nature. But here lies the Good-luck of the Case ; 'Tis in your power to retrieve the Maim, and set the Limb on again: This favour is allow'd to no other part of the Creation. Consider then the particular Bounty of God Almighty to Man in this privilege. He has set him above the Necessity of breaking off from Nature, and Providence at all; But supposing his Mis- Rh