Page:The Emperor Marcus Antoninus - His Conversation with Himself.djvu/319

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Meditations, &c.
139

Fame, consider that both the Orator, and the Hero, the Men, and the Merit, will quickly go off, and be out of sight ; that the Earth is but a point, and that we live but in a Corner of this little Dimension neither. That Men differ in their Notions of Honour and Esteem ; and that even the same Person, is not of the same Opinion long together.

XXII. Mind that which lies before you, whether it be Thought, Word, or Action : You are well enough serv'd, [1] for Post-poning your Improvement , and making Virtue wait for you till to Morrow.

XXIII. Am I about anything ? I'le do it with regard to the Interest of Mankind: Does any thing happen to me extraordinary ? I'le receive it as the appointment of Fate , and the Distribution of Heaven.

XXIV. Think a little , and tell me what you meet with in the business of Bathing? There's Oyl, and Sweat, and Dirtiness, and Water, but an Offensive Mixture take it altogether. Why Life and Satisfaction is made up of much such indifferent Stuff ; but Coarse if you examine it to the Bottom.

XXV. Lucilla Buried Verus,[2] and follow'd him soon after. Secunda did the

same
  1. Here the Emperour refers to some disappointment.
  2. Lucilla was our Emperours Daughter, and married to Verus, who was his Partner in the Empire.