Page:The Emperor Marcus Antoninus - His Conversation with Himself.djvu/378

 198 Animal World; In this Case a great many Obstructions may interpose. But there's nothing can block up a Soul, stop the Course of Reason, or hinder a Thought from running in the right Channel. He that considers the irresistible Liberty of the Mind, that she moves as easily as Fire does upwards, as a Stone downwards, as a Cylinder on a smooth Descent; will trouble his head about nothing farther. For all other Impediments proceed either from the Body, which he looks upon rather as a Carkass, than a Companion, or else they are founded in Opinion, and unless we betray our selves, and desert our Reason, can do us no manner of Mischief: Otherwise, Ill Fortune, as 'tis commonly call'd, would make a Body an ill Man: For all other Productions of Nature, or Art, when any harm happens to them they are certainly the worse for't: But here a Man is the better for what he suffers; He improves his Value, and raises his Character, by making a right use of a Rugged Accident. In short I would have you remember, that no Burgher can receive any Damage by that which does not Affect his Corporation; Neither can the Community suffer, unless the Laws, by which 'tis Govern'd, are broken, and suffer too: But these Misfortunes as they Rh