Page:The Emperor Marcus Antoninus - His Conversation with Himself.djvu/392

 212 XVI. To bestow no more upon Objects than they deserve, and where Things are Indifferent to let our Thoughts be so too, is a noble Expedient for Happiness ; The way to come up to this Indifferency, is to look Through Matters, and take them quite asunder: Remembring always, that Things can't Charge into the Soul, nor force us upon any Opinions about them : They stand Aloof, and are quiet ; 'Tis our Fancy that makes them, Operate and Gall us ; 'Tis we that Rate them and give them their Bulk, and Value; And yet tis in our Power to let it alone; And if any false Colours are laid on by surprize, we may rub them out if We please: We are likewise to consider that this Trouble won't last, that Death will Relieve us quickly ; where then is the difficulty of standing upon our Guard a little while ? If therefore your Circumstances put you in a way of Improvement, and there's any thing to be made out of them, bid them heartily welcome, and then your Inclination will make you easie : But if they prove unmanageably cross, ( which by the way is a wrong Supposition, ) Look out for something that's more serviceable to the Dignity of your Nature; And never let Infamy, or being Unpopular, deter yon from the Pursuit, For certainly Rh