Page:The Emperor Marcus Antoninus - His Conversation with Himself.djvu/329

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Meditations, &c.
149

your self about the Matter ? For you have nothing to answer for. It may be you will say, 'tis not worth my while to Live unless this Business can be effected. Why then e'en Dye ; But take your leave handsomly : Go off as smoothly, as if you had succeeded; And ben't angry with those that disappointed you.

XLVIII. The Mind is invincible when she exerts her self, and relys upon her own Courage ; In this Case there's no forcing her Will, tho' she has nothing but Obstinacy for her Defence. What then must her strength be when she is fortified with Reason, and Engages upon Thought and Deliberation? A Soul unembarrass'd with Passion, [1] is the most impregnable Security ; Hither we may retire, and defie our Enemies : He that sees not this Advantage, must be ignorant, and he that forgets to use it, Unhappy.

XLIX. Don't add to your Information from without, nor make more of things than your Senses Report. For Instance: You are told that such a one has spoken ill of you. Right, But that you are really the worse for't, is no part of the News; And if you think so, 'tis your own Addition : Again : I see my Child lye Sick : True ; But that he is in Danger is more than I see ; And therefore if I

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  1. That has nothing of Hope, or Fear, of Aversion, or Desire to weaken it.