Page:The Emperor Marcus Antoninus - His Conversation with Himself.djvu/356

 176 us; and the Tools too with which we are to Work.

XLIV. When you are Shock'd by any Man's Impudence, put this Question to your self : Is it possible for such Impudent People not to be in the World ? No indeed. Why then do you wish for an Impossibility ? For this Lewd, Ill-behav'd Fellow, is one of those necessary Rascals that the World can't dispence with. This Reflection will furnish you with Patience for a Knave, or any other ill Body. For when you consider that there's no living without this sort of Cattel, you'l treat them with more Temper upon occasion. And to fortifie you farther, you'l find that Nature has arm'd you at all Points, sent an Antidote against every Disease, and provided you some Virtue or other against all sort of Vice, and Immorality. For the purpose, if you have to do with a troublesome Blockhead, you have Meekness, and Temper for your Guard, and so of the rest. 'Tis likewise in your power, to inform the Man better, and set him right : For every one that does an ill Action, is really out of his way, and misses his Mark, tho' he may not know it. Besides, what harm have you receiv'd? If you examine the Case, you'l find none of these provoking Rh