Page:The Emperor Marcus Antoninus - His Conversation with Himself.djvu/385

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Meditations, &c.
205

every Movement and Gesture, apart. And this Method will hold with Respect to the Olympick Exercises. [1] In short. All other Entertainments but those of Virtue, abate by taking them asunder, and therefore apply the Expedient to all other parts of your Life.

III. What a brave Soul is that, that's always prepar'd to walk out of the Body, and unconcern'd about her being either extinguish'd, scatter'd, [2] or remov'd ? Prepared I say upon Judgment, and not out of mere Obstinacy like the Christians ; [3] To recommend the Example, this Fortitude must have nothing of Ostentation, but be carried on with a Solemn Air of Gravity, and Consideration.

IV. Have I oblig'd any Body, or done the World any Service ? If so, the Action has rewarded me ; This Answer will encourage Good Nature, therefore let it always be at Hand.

V. What may your Trade or Profession be ? 'Tis to live like a Man of Virtue and Probity. And how can this end be better compass'd, than by the Contemplation of the Nature of the World, and of Mankind in particular; and the Influence the one has upon the Affairs of the other.

VI. As
  1. Boxing, Running, Wrastling, Leaping and Playing at Quoits, &c.
  2. Into Atomes.
  3. The true Bravery of the Christians, was misrepresented to the Emperour.