Page:The Emperor Marcus Antoninus - His Conversation with Himself.djvu/326

 146 Superfine Thing? No. 'Tis your Reason. But I am not so lucky as to be all Reason. Make your self so then, and don't let Reason Degenerate, and grow uneasy. In short, when any thing troubles you, let this Thought be your Remedy.

XLI. To be checked in the Functions of Sense and Motion and Desire, is an Evil to the Animal Life; That which hinders the growth or nourishing of a Vegetable, may be said to be an Evil there. So likewise to be cramp'd in the Faculties of the Mind, is an Evil to an Intelligent Nature: Apply all this to your self. Does Pleasure or Pain Solicite, or Attack you? Turn them over to your Senses, and let them answer for't. Does any thing lye cross your undertaking? Why if you were positive and peremptory about it, and set your Heart upon't then the Disappointment is really an Evil: But if you engag'd only upon Condition, the Nail would drive, and with a reserve for Accidents, then no manner of hindrance or harm has happen'd to you; Indeed no Mortal can lay the Soul by the Heels, or put a Restraint upon her. The Mind if she will but Arm her Thoughts, and Exert her Courage, is Impregnable: And neither Fire nor Sword, Tongue nor Tyrant, can touch her. Rh