Page:The Emperor Marcus Antoninus - His Conversation with Himself.djvu/357

 Rh Mortals have done your Mind any Damages : Now that is the only place in which you are capable of being hurt. Pray Where's the Wonder if an Ignorant Fellow has done like himself? If you expected other things from him, you are much to blame. His want of Sence, or Principles, might make you conclude upon his Misbehaviour, and yet, when that which was most likely has happen'd, you seem surpriz'd at it. Farther, when you complain of a Notorious Knave, you are still more to blame. For tho' his Honesty might have been a Disappointment, Falshood ought to be none : And what could make you believe he would baulk his Custom, and Fancy for your sake ? To go on : You have done a kindness to such a Person, and because he makes no Return you grow Peevish, and Satirical upon him: In earnest, This is a sign that you had a mercenary View, and that you were but a Huckster in the Mask of a Friend ; For otherwise you would have been satisfied with a generous Action, and made Virtue her own Reward. To argue the Point a little : You have obliged a Man, 'tis very well ! What would you have more ? Is not the Consciousness of doing a good Office, a sufficient Consideration? You have humoured your own Rh