Page:The Emperor Marcus Antoninus - His Conversation with Himself.djvu/370

 190 XIV. He that considers that Nature has the Disposal of all Things, will address her in this Language of Respect. ''Give me what yon please, and take what you please away. I'm contented.'' This is the strain of a Man bred to Sobriety, and Good Principles. And tho' the Expression may be extraordinary, there's not the least tincture of Vanity in it, but it proceeds wholly from Obedience, and Satisfaction.

XV. Your time is almost over, therefore live as if you were retired in the Country. Place signifies nothing ; Virtue and Philosophy, will thrive every where, provided you mind your Business. Never run into a Hole, and shun Company : No. Let the World have the Benefit of a Good Example, and look upon an honest Man; and if they don't like him; let them knock him on the Head; for 'tis much better he were serv'd so, then to live at their rate of Disorder.

XVI. Notion without Practice is Impertinence; spend no more time then in stating the Qualifications of a Man of Virtue, but endeavour to get them.

XVII. Take the whole Bulk of Matter, and all the Extent of Time frequently into your Thoughts : And then consider that all particular Bodies are but a Grain in Rh