Page:The Emperor Marcus Antoninus - His Conversation with Himself.djvu/330

150 conclude so, I must thank my self for't. Thus always stop at the first Representation, and you are safe: Inferences, and Supplemental Fancies, do but make a Man Unhappy. But if you will Reason upon't, (which may not be unserviceable) do it the right way: Doe it like a Man that has look'd through the World, and is no Stranger to any thing that can happen.

L. Does your Cucumber tast bitter? Let it alone. Are there Brambles in your way? Avoid them then. Thus far you are well: But then don't ask what does the World with such stuff as this is? This is to be too Bold, and Impertinent; And a Natural Philosopher would laugh at you: This Expostulation is just as Wise as it would be to find fault with a Carpenter for having Saw-dust, or a Taylor Shreds in his Shop; They know where to bestow them, tho' you don't. Nay if you examine farther, the Absurdity is too big for the Comparison: For Universal Nature has no place for Refuse out of her self. All things are lodged within her Circumference. Here 'tis that they grow Old, and Moulder, and seem good for nothing. But then under all these Disadvantages the wonder of her Contrivance is such, that she Melts them down, and Recoins them in another Figure, and sends