Page:The Emperor Marcus Antoninus - His Conversation with Himself.djvu/41

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love all Mankind heartily, and without a Compliment; that we must solicit their Interest, bear with their Infirmities, and do no manner of Injury to any Mortal: That a Man should not think himself born only for his private Satisfaction; but exert his Strength for the publick Advantage, and make his Life as significant to the World as 'tis possible: That [1] the Conscience of a good Action should content him; without the prospect of Fame or Reward: That he should never be tired with the Exercise of Good Nature, but pursue one Kindness so closely with another, that there may be no room for any insignificant Spaces of Life to come between. That a Man ought to look upon a Generous Action as a Reward to it self, and that we oblige our selves, by doing a good turn to another. And therefore that 'tis a piece of Meanness to ramble Abroad, and grasp at Interest, or Applause. [2] Farther; "That the polishing our Reason; and the governing our Will, is the most noble Imployment; and that nothing ought to be preferr'd to the Practise of Honesty. And lastly, [3] "That a Man should stand immovably by his Reason, that no clamour of Appetite should call him off,

"that
  1. Cic. de finib. 1. 2. Marcus.
  2. Marc. Imp.
  3. Marc.