name. The Spanish name, desemboltura,[1] partly expresseth them; when there be not stonds nor restiveness in a man's nature; but that the wheels of his mind keep way[2] with the wheels of his fortune. For so Livy (after he had described Cato Major[3] in these words, In illo viro tantum robur corporis et animi fuit, ut quocunque loco natus esset, fortunam sibi facturus videretur)[4] falleth upon that, that he had versatile ingenium.[5] Therefore if a man look sharply and attentively, he shall see Fortune: for though she be blind, yet she is not invisible. The way of fortune is like the milken way[6] in the sky; which is a meeting or knot of a number of small stars; not seen asunder, but giving light together. So are there a number of little and scarce discerned virtues, or rather faculties and customs, that make men fortunate. The Italians note some of them, such as a man would little think. When they speak of one that cannot do amiss, they will throw in into his other conditions, that he hath Poco di matto.[7] And certainly there be not two more fortunate properties, than to have a little of the fool, and not
- ↑ Desemboltura for desenvoltura (from desenvolver, to unroll, unfold). Graceful and easy delivery of one's sentiments and thoughts.
- ↑ Keep way. To keep pace.
- ↑ Marcus Porcius Cato, surnamed 'the Censor' and Priscus, 234–149 B.C., Roman statesman, general, and writer.
- ↑ In that man there was so much strength of body and of mind, that in whatever place he had been born, it seems he would have made a fortune for himself. (In hoc viro tanta vis animi ingeniique fuit, ut quocunque loco natus esset, fortunam sibi ipse facturus fuisse videretur. T. Livii Patavini Historiarum Ab Urbe Condita Liber XXXIX. Caput 40.)
- ↑ A mind easily turned from one thing to another.
- ↑ Milken way. The galaxy, or milky way; a luminous band or track encircling the heavens irregularly, and known to consist of innumerable stars perceptible only by means of the telescope.
- ↑ A little of the fool.
