Page:The Emperor Marcus Antoninus - His Conversation with Himself.djvu/230

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Marcus Antoninus's

only to consider the vast number of Bodies dispos'd of in the manner above mentioned; but what an infinite are every Day devour'd by Mankind, and other Living Creatures, and as it were buried in their Stomachs; And yet by the Transmutation of the Food into Blood and Humours, and by the Conveyance of Perspiration, there's Stowage enough. And now which way can a Man take a Prospect of the Truth, and trace the History of Nature? Why in order to this, you must divide the Thing in Question, into Matter, and Form.[1]

XXII. Don't run Riot; keep your Understanding True, [2] and your Intentions Honest.

XXIII. Whatever is agreeable to you, O Universe [3] is so to me too. Your Things are never Mistim'd. Your Methods are acceptable, and your Seasons all Spring and Summer to me! From You all Things proceed, subsist in you, and Return to You. And if the Poet call'd Athens the City Beloved by Cecrops, why mayn't the World be styled the Favourite Town of Jupiter?

XXIV. If you would Live at your Ease, says Democritus, Manage but a few Things. I think it had been better, if He had said, Do nothing but what is necessary; and what becomes one made for Society; No-

thing
  1. By Form the Stoicks meant God, or the Efficient Cause of all Things.
  2. See Book 5. Sect. 36. Book 7. Sect. 54.
  3. By the World the Stoicks sometimes understood God.