Page:The Emperor Marcus Antoninus - His Conversation with Himself.djvu/327

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Meditations, &c.
147

XLII. Why should I Fret, and Vex, that never willingly vexed any body?[1] Certainly I can have no reason to be more unkind to my self, than to other People.

XLIII. Every Man has his particular Gust, and Inclination, but my pleasure lies in Wise Thinking, and Reasonable Desires: Give me a Sound and a Sober Understanding: A Temper that never falls out either with Men, or Accidents: That takes all things with good humour, computes rightly upon their Value, and puts them to the Uses they are fit for.

XLIV. Make the best of your Time while you have it: Those who are so solicitous about Fame, and think of Living here after they are Dead, such Men I say ne're consider that the World won't mend by growing older; That Future Generations, will be as weak, and Disobliging, as the present: What then can the noise or Opinions of such little Mortals signifie?

XLV. Toss me into what Climate or State you please: For all that I'le keep my Genius[2] in good Humour , that is my own Conscience, if 'tis Good, shall make me Happy; Let me but perform the Duties of a Reasonable Nature, and I'le ask no more. What! Is this Misadventure big enough to ruffle my Mind, and throw

L 2
her
  1. The Emperour seems here to be under the Sence of some Ingratitude, and ill usage extraordinary.
  2. Or Soul.