Page:The Emperor Marcus Antoninus - His Conversation with Himself.djvu/350

 170 If their Virtues were all Shew and Varnish, I desire to be excus'd the Imitation. Philosophy is a Modest Profession, 'tis all reality and plain-dealing. I hate Solemnity, and Pretence, with nothing but Pride at the Bottom.

XXX. Fly your Fancy into the Clouds, and from this Imaginary Height, take a View of Mortals here Below. What strange Medly of Management, what confusion of Prospect is here? What infinite Variety in Religion, Government, and Fortune? Go on with the Speculation, stretch your Thoughts over Time and Nature, and look upon Things in the different Aspects of the past, and the present ; Consider how the World withers, and wears off ; that the Ages before, were unacquainted with you, and so will many of those that come After. That neither your Power, nor your Fame , reaches far among the Barbarians; how many are there that never heard of your Name , how many that will quickly Forget you , and how many that Admire you Now, will Censure you Afterwards ? In short, Memory, and Fame , and all those Things which are commonly so much Valued, are no better than Toys, and Amusements.

XXXI. Be always Easie, and Upright; Let Fortitude Guard without, and Honesty Rh