OBSERVATIONS.
IT is observed by Marcellinus,* that when misfortune cometh upon a man, his spirit groweth so dull and benummed, as his senses seem to be dismissed of their charges. Which ap∣peared hear in Curio: who having taken a pro∣vident and sure course, such as was approved in every mans judgement, and beseemed well the wisdome of a Commander,* did neverthelesse, contrary to all sense and discretion, forgo the same, and cast himself upon the hazard of that which fugitives had vainly reported.* Concern∣ing which, as it is noted, that Incredulity is hurtfull onely to the unbeliever; so this passage proveth, that for a Commander to be too light of belief, is a danger to the whole Partie, and bringeth many to ruine, that had no part in that creed. Caesar, in the relation hereof, noteth three speciall things in Curio, that carried him head∣long to this disaster, and may serve as marks to avoid the like Syrtes.
The first was, Iuvenilis ardor, his youthfull Page 71 courage and heat: which is alwaies attended with strong affections, suting the qualitie and temperature of the body, being then in the prime height of strength, & accordingly led on with violent motions;* whereas age goeth slowly and coldly forward, and is alwaies surer in under∣taking, then hot-spurre youth. And albeit no man in cold bloud could better advise then Cu∣rio, or fore-see with better providence; yet his youthfull boldnesse over-swaied his discourse,* and drew all to a mischief, in despight of his wisedome.
The second was, Superioris temporis pro∣ventus, the happy issue of former proceedings: which of all other conditions is to be suspected,* and needeth Gods assistance more then any o∣ther fortune; for that no man sooner erreth, or is more uncapable of order, then such as are in prosperity. And therefore Plato refused to make lawes for them of Cyrene;* as a matter of great difficulty, to give ordinances to men that were in happinesse. And doubtless, such is the exorbi∣tancie of our nature, that nothing better infor∣meth it then crosses;* which are as instructions and warnings, for the preventing of ruining calamities.* Wherein Curio was not beholding to Fortune at all; that dandled him in her lap for a while, to cast him out at length headlong to his ruine. It had been much better, she had ex∣changed a frown with a favour, rather then to have given him much good together,* and re∣serve an irrecoverable disgrace for the upshot.
The third was,*Fiducia rei bene gerendae: which savoureth more of folly then any of the former; it being alwaies an argument of an im∣prudent man, to assure himself of good fortune. For Presumption,* being ever accompanied with Negligence, is subject to as many casualties, as those that go unarmed upon extremity of dan∣ger.* And these were the three things that mis∣carried Curio. Out of which we may observe with Xenophon, that Ingens & arduum opus est recte imperare, it is a weighty and difficult matter to command well.
