Page:The Emperor Marcus Antoninus - His Conversation with Himself.djvu/369

 Rh Reason and Justice are pleasant Companions; and those that keep to them, are always satisfied, and in good Humour.

XIII. When you are first awake you may put this Question ; whether another Man's Virtue will signify any thing to the doing your Business ? No, unless you help your self, another Man's Mind will no more improve you, than another Man's Mouth will nourish you : This thought may do you Service in a Morning, and help to make the Day more significant. And now I think on't, don t forget what sort of Men those are which value themselves so much upon the Good or Ill Character, they give their Neighbours; one would imagine by their bragging they could govern the World with their Tongues, and talk People into what Condition they had a mind to. But then these mighty Men of Satyr, and Panegyrick, how scandalously do they live? How are they overgrown, with Luxury and Lewdness? How foolish are their Fancies, and how unreasonable their Fears ? How much Truth do they murther with their prating; and how often do they steal from an honest Man, to make a Knave look the better? But after all, they have the worst on't, by abusing that Reason which might have serv'd them to so many Excellent Purpofes. Rh