Page:The Meditations of Marcus Aurelius Antoninus.pdf/106

An' thou wouldst be wise, prepare to be laughed at, and set down by many as a fool. "How now, philosopher," they exclaim, "whence this vanity?" Do not be vain, indeed, but stick by what is just and true, even as if thou hadst a mission from God; and by and by those who derided before, will esteem thee as one divine. But once thou dost succumb, wilt become doubly ridiculous.

Hast turned thy attention to externals—wouldst abandon thy position to please others? Try, indeed, to love wisdom in all things; if thou wouldst seem wise, be so.

Ne'er trouble thyself because thou art obscure and lowly; for if it be indeed an evil, it is no more in the power of others to inflict it than disgrace. But is it any part of thy business to enjoy authority or sit up at entertainments; it is only in things that depend on thyself that thou art required to be of importance. But thy friends will remain unassisted—what dost mean by unassisted? They will not, perchance, gain money or the freedom of the city; but who said these belonged to thee—that they were not in the possession of another: can a man bestow what he hath not? Get, then, that thou mayest give. Truly so, if without impeachment to honour, good-faith, and magnanimity—point out the way and I shall begin; but it is at once unjust and absurd to require me to throw away my greatest good, that others may obtain what in itself is worthless. Which wouldst thou, silver and gold, or a true and faithful friend? Rather assist me to remain so, than require that which will cause me to be so no more. But thy country receives no help at thy hands—what help? I have not erected baths, indeed, or a porch: shoes are not furnished by a worker in brass, nor shields by a cobbler; 'tis enough if every one perform his allotted task. Is it nothing to be upright, faithful, true—does this disserve one's country? But thy place, thy place in the community? Just whatever I am able consistently with