O^ BEAUTT. 



We ought to observe that even the things that 

 follow after the things which are produced according 

 to nature contain something pleasing and attract- 

 ive. . . . The ears of corn bending down, 

 and the lion's eyebrows, and the foam which flows 

 from the mouth of wild boars, and many other 

 things tho they are far from being beautiful if a 

 man should examine them severally still, because 

 they are consequent upon the things which are 

 formed by nature, help to adorn them, and they 

 please the mind ; so that if a man should have a 

 feeling and deeper insight with respect to the things 

 which are produced in the universe, there is hardly 

 one of those which follow by way of consequence, 

 which will not seem to him to be in a manner dis- 

 posed so as to give pleasure. . . . And in an 

 old woman and an old man he will be able to see a 

 certain maturity and comeliness, and the attractive 

 beauty of young persons he will be able to look upon 

 with chaste eyes, who has become truly familiar with 

 nature and her works. 



MARCUS AURELIUS ANTONINUS. 



