Page:The Emperor Marcus Antoninus - His Conversation with Himself.djvu/344

 164 God's are so patient, and Benign, as to pass by the perversness of Men, and sometimes to Assist them over and above in their Health , Fame , and Fortune. Just thus may you do if you please, if not, let me know the Impediment.

XII Don't drudge like a Galley Slave ; nor do business in such a Laborious manner, as if you had a mind to be pitied, or wondred at; Let your Motives be more Solid ; And either put on, or make a Halt, as publick Reason, and Convenience shall direct you.

XIII. To day I rushed clear out of all Misfortune; or rather I threw Misfortune from me; for to speak truth ; it was no Out-lyer, nor ever any farther off than my own Fancy.

XIV. All things are the same over again, and nothing but what has been serv'd up to our Fore-fathers: They are stale upon Experiment ; Momentary in their Lasting, and Coarse in their Matter.

XV. Things, or Accidents stand without Doors, and keep their Distance, and neither know, or Report any things about themselves ; what is it then that pronounces upon their Quality, and makes them look frightfully ? Nothing but your Fancy, and Opinion.

XVI. As Virtue, and Vice consist in Rh