Page:The Emperor Marcus Antoninus - His Conversation with Himself.djvu/217

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Meditations, &c.
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thing serves, and what sort of World 'tis which makes use on't? what proportion of value it bears to the Universe, and what to Men in particular; to Men I say, who are Citizens of that great [1] Capital, in respect of which all other Towns, are no more than single Families. To return : My Business is to examine nicely into the present Object; to know what 'tis made on, and how long 'twill last; what Virtue it requires of me, and gives occasion to, whether Fortitude, or Truth, Good Nature, or Good Faith, Simplicity, Frugality, and so forth; upon every Impression and Accident, a Man should be ready to pronounce. This was sent me by Heaven, This is a Consequence of Destiny; This comes from Chance, over-ruled by Providence. And this other was done by one of the same Clan, [2] Family, and Corporation with my self; 'Tis true, I don't like the Usage, but the Man was a Stranger to the Relation he stood in; and knew no Better. But I am under none of this Mistake, and therefore I will be Just,and Friendly to him, and treat him by the Laws of Common Society; for why should any Man forfeit for his Ignorance, and lose a Natural Right. However, as to Things Indifferent, [3] I shall take care to look into them too, and rate them according to their respective Value.

D 3
XII. If
  1. The World.
  2. See Book 2. Sect. 1.
  3. The Stoicks reckon'd all things indifferent, excepting Honesty and Virtue