honoured by others. But Dionysius scoffing Gelon, and, calling him the Gelos of Sicily, was not aware through envy he had happen'd to in∣fringe the greatness of his Authority and Power. These things the prudent Man must know and observe.
Now those who are forc'd upon their own praises, are the more excusable, if they arrogate not the causes wholly to themselves, but ascribe them in part of Fortune, and in part to God. Achilles therefore said well,
After the Gods of Conqu'ring him bestow'd
On me the Power.
and
Timoleon did well, who Erected a
Fane to Fortune, and dedicated his house to
Bonus Genius, to whom he referr'd the felicity of his Attempts. But best of all
Python Aenius, who after he had slain
Cotys, coming to
Athens, and perceiving that the Orators being very busie in applauding him to the People, displeas'd many, and stirr'd them up to Envy, he thus speaks,
These things, ye Athe∣nians
some of the Gods have done; our hands were on∣ly the Instruments of their Work. Sylla also pre∣vented envy by his perpetually praising Fortune, not his prowess; and at last Sirnam'd himself
Epaphroditus in acknowledgment that his success proceeded from the care of
Venus. For the World will more readily impute whatever a Person has done well, to a lucky chance, or the pleasure of some God, then to his Vertue: and will hardly allow him any honour of a prosp'rous action; though all defects and misadventures they attri∣bute wholly to himself.