OF THE COLOURS OF GOOD AND EVIL 161 



seemeth a kind of burthen; whereas the other which derive 

 from ourselves, are like the freest patents, absque aliquo inde 

 reddendo ; and if they proceed from fortune or providence, 

 yet they seem to touch us secretly with the reverence of 

 the divine powers whose favours we taste, and therefore 

 work a kind of religious fear and restraint : whereas in the 

 other kind, that comes to pass which the prophet speaketh, 

 laetantur et exultant, immolant plagis suis, et sacrificant reti suo. 



Thirdly, because that which cometh unto us without our 

 own virtue, yieldeth not that commendation and reputation : 

 for actions of great felicity may draw wonder, but praiseless; 

 as Cicero said to Caesar, hiae miremur, habemus ; quae 

 laudemus, expectamus. 



Fourthly, because the purchases of our own industry are 

 joined commonly with labour and strife, which gives an 

 edge and appetite, and makes the fruition of our desire 

 more pleasant. Suavis cibus a venatu. 



On the other side, there be four counter colours to this 

 colour, rather than reprehensions, because they be as large 

 as the colour itself. First, because felicity seemeth to be a 

 character of the favour and love of the divine powers, and 

 accordingly worketh both confidence in ourselves, and 

 respect and authority from others. And this felicity ex- 

 tendeth to many casual things, whereunto the care or virtue 

 of man cannot extend, and therefore seemeth to be a larger 

 good ; as when Caesar said to the sailor, Caesarem portas et 

 fortunam e]us\ if he had said et virtutem ejus it had been 

 small comfort against a tempest, otherwise than if it might 

 seem upon merit to induce fortune. 



Next, whatsoever is done by virtue and industry, seems 

 to be done by a kind of habit and art, and therefore open 

 to be imitated and followed ; whereas felicity is inimitable. 

 So we generally see that things of nature seem more ex- 

 cellent than things of art, because they be imitable : for 

 quod imitabile est potentia quadam vulgatum est. 



Thirdly, felicity commendeth those things which cometh 

 within our own labour ; for they seem gifts, and the other 

 seems pennyworths : whereupon Plutarch saith elegantly of 

 the acts of Timoleon, who was so fortunate, compared with 



