Page:The Emperor Marcus Antoninus - His Conversation with Himself.djvu/292

From Wikisource
Jump to navigation Jump to search
This page needs to be proofread.

112
Marcus Antoninus's

XIV. Let Accidents happen to such as are liable to the Impression, and those that feel Misfortune, may complain of it if they please. As for me, let what will come, I can receive no Damage by it, unless I think it a Calamity; and 'tis in my power to think it none, if I have a mind to it.

XV. Let Peoples Tongues, and Actions be what they will, my business is to keep my Road, and be Honest. And make the same Speech to my self, that a piece of Gold, or an Emrald should, if they had Sense and Language : Let the World talk and take their Method, I shan't mind it, but sparkle and shine on, and be true to my Species, and my Colour.

XVI. Does not the Mind give the Man the Disturbances? Does she not bring Fears, and Fits of the Spleen upon her self? Let any other Body try to disquiet her if they can; When they have done their worst, 'tis in her power ro prevent the Impreffion. And as for this small Carcase, let it Complain, and Feel, and be Frighted, if it know, how. 'Tis true the Soul is the Seat and Principle of Thought, and by consequence of Passion, and Pain; However this Passive Capacity will do no harm, unless you throw her into Fancies, and Fears about it: [1] For the Mind is in her

own
  1. The old Stoical Paradox.