particular of those things that should happen unto me,
I must stand to their deliberation, as discrete and wise.
For that a God should be an imprudent God, is a thing hard
even to conceive: and why should they resolve to do me
hurt? for what profit either unto them or the universe
(which they specially take care for) could arise from it?
But if so be that they have not deliberated of me in particular,
certainly they have of the whole in general, and those things
which in consequence and coherence of this general deliberation
happen unto me in particular, I am bound to embrace and accept of.
But if so be that they have not deliberated at all
(which indeed is very irreligious for any man to believe:
for then let us neither sacrifice, nor pray, nor respect
our oaths, neither let us any more use any of those things,
which we persuaded of the presence and secret conversation
of the Gods among us, daily use and practise:) but, I say,
if so be that they have not indeed either in general,
or particular deliberated of any of those things, that happen
unto us in this world; yet God be thanked, that of those things
that concern myself, it is lawful for me to deliberate myself,
and all my deliberation is but concerning that which may be to me
most profitable. Now that unto every one is most profitable,
which is according to his own constitution and nature.
And my nature is, to be rational in all my actions and as a good,
and natural member of a city and commonwealth, towards my fellow
members ever to be sociably and kindly disposed and affected.
My city and country as I am Antoninus, is Rome; as a man,
the whole world. Those things therefore that are expedient
and profitable to those cities, are the only things that are
good and expedient for me.