Page:The Emperor Marcus Antoninus - His Conversation with Himself.djvu/388

 208 extraordinary. He has put it in our Power to grow to the Limb we left, and come again into the Advantage of the main Body, But if this Misfortune is often repeated, 'twill be a hard Matter to restore the Part, and close the Division. For as Gardiners observe, a Bough cut off and Graffed in again, is not in the same good Condition, with another which always Flourish'd upon the Trunk ; For, tho' the first does not grow out of its Kind, yet it suffers somewhat in its Figure and Beauty.

IX. Never grow sour upon Peoples Malice, or Impertinence : Can they beat you off your Reason, or stop your Progress in Virtue ; Not at all. Be not then Disconcerted, nor check your Good-nature towards them. If you meet with Opposition and Ill-will, you must neither be Diverted, nor Disturb'd, but keep your Point, and your Temper too. For as 'tis a Weakness to loose your Spirits, and be thrown off your Conduct, so 'tis likewise to be angry with Impertinent People : Upon the whole; They are both a sort of Deserters from Providence, who are either frighten'd from their Duty, or fall out with those of their own Nature, and Family. Rh