Page:The Emperor Marcus Antoninus - His Conversation with Himself.djvu/393

 Rh every Man may take leave to make himself Happy if he can.

XVII. Consider the Original of all Things, the Matter they are made of; the Alterations they must run through, and the Qualities consequent upon't; And that all this Instability of Nature has no manner of harm in't.

XVIII. Concerning those that offend, and disoblige you, consider in the First place, the Relation you stand in towards them, and that you are all made for each other. And as for your own part you are particlarly set at the Head of the World; And like a Ram in a Flock, design'd for Defence and Protection. You may go higher in your Reasoning if you please, and consider that either Chance, or Providence Governs the Universe ; if the latter, then the Coarser parts of the Creation were made for the Service of their Betters; And these last for the Interest and Support of each other.

Secondly ; consider how wretchedly They mismanage their own Business, and how far they are gone in Luxury, and Libertinism, especially you should remember what strong Prejudices they lye under, how confident they are in their Mistakes, and with what satisfaction they play the Fool. Rh