Page:The Emperor Marcus Antoninus - His Conversation with Himself.djvu/359

 Rh desiring I say, either Time for longer Enjoyment, nor Place for Elbow-room, nor Climate for good Air, nor the Musick of good Company? Can you abstract your self thus from the World, and take your leave of all Mortals, and be contented with your present Condition, let it be what it will? And be persuaded that you are fully furnish'd, that all things will do well with you ; for the Gods are at the Head of the Administration; And they will approve of nothing but what is for the best, and tends to the Security and Advantage of that Good, Righteous, Beautiful, and Perfect Animal, which Generates, and supports all Things, and keeps those Things which Decay from running out of Compass, that other resembling Beings may be made out of them? In a word, Are you ever likely to be so happily qualified, as to Converse with the Gods, and Men in such a manner, as neither to complain of them, nor be condemned by them?

II. Examine what your Nature requires as if you had no other Law to Govern you. And when you have loo'd into her inclinations never baulk them, unless your Animal Nature, or the Interest of your Body are likely to be worse for't. Then you are to examine what your Animal Nature or the Rh