one appointed by God to this Station. For remember, that, if you adhere to the same Point, those very Persons who at first ridiculed, will afterwards admire you. But, if you are conquered by them, you will incur a double Ridicule.
XXIII.
If you ever happen to turn your Attention to Externals, so as to wish to please any one, be assured, that you have ruined your Scheme of Life[1]. Be contented then, in every thing, with being a Philosopher: and, if you wish to be thought so likewise by any one, appear so to yourself, and it will suffice you.
XXIV.
Let not such Considerations as these distress you. "I shall live in Dishonour; and be no-body any-where." For, if Dishonour is an Evil, you can no more be involved in any Evil by the Means of another, than be engaged in any thing base. Is it any Business of yours then, to get Power, or to be admitted to an Entertainment? By no means. How then, after all, is this a Dishonour? And how is it true, that you will be no-body any-where; when you ought to be some-body in those Things only, which are in your own Power, in which you may be of the greatest Consequence? "But my Friends will be unassisted."What do you mean by unassisted? They will not have Money from you; nor will you make them Roman Citizens. Who told Who told you then, that these are among the Things in our own Power; and not the Affair of others? And who can give to another the Things which he hath not himself?" Well: but get them then, that we too may have a Share." If I can get them with the Preservation of my own Honour,
- ↑ If I yet pleased Men, I should not be the Servant of Christ. Gal. i. 10.
