Page:The Emperor Marcus Antoninus - His Conversation with Himself.djvu/332

 152 ster of these Qualities, and your business is done.

LII. He that's unacquainted with the Origine, and first Cause of the World, and with that Providence that Governs it, must be at a loss to know where He is, and what Empire he lives under : And he that can't tell the Ends he was made for, is Ignorant both of himself , and the World too : And he that's uninstructed in either of these two Points, will ne're be able to look into the Design of His Being. And yet there are abundance of People that would be puzzled at these Questions. What do you think then of His Discretion, that's anxious about what is said of Him; and values either the Praise, or the Censure of those little Folks , that know neither where They are, nor who?

LIII. Nothing can be more Vain than the Courting of Popular Applause. What! Are you so Ambitious of a Man's good Word, that it may be in an Hours time shall Curse himself to the Pitt of Hell ? Are you so fond of being in their Favour, that can't keep in their own? Striving to please those People that can't please themselves, is to no manner of purpose ! And how can they be said to please themselves, Who are dissatisfied with their Conduct at every turn, and Repent of almost everything they do ? Rh