IT CANNOT be denied, but outward accidents conduce much to fortune; favor, opportunity, death of others, occasion fitting virtue. But chiefly, the mould of a man's fortune is in his own hands. Faber quisque fortunae suae, saith the poet. And the most frequent of external causes is, that the folly of one man, is the fortune of another. For no man prospers so suddenly, as by others' errors. Serpens nisi serpentem comederit non fit draco. Overt and apparent virtues, bring forth praise; but there be secret and hidden virtues, that bring forth fortune; certain deliveries of a man's self, which have no name. The Spanish name, desemboltura, partly expresseth them; when there be not stonds nor restiveness in a man's nature; but that the wheels of his mind, keep way with the wheels of his fortune. For so Livy (after he had described Cato Major in these words, In illo viro tantum robur corporis et animi fuit, ut quocunque loco natus esset, fortunam sibi facturus videretur) falleth upon that, that he had versatile ingenium. 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 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. And certainly there be not two more fortunate properties, than to have a little of the fool, and not too much of the honest. Therefore extreme lovers of their country or masters, were never fortunate, neither can they be. For when a man placeth his thoughts without himself, he goeth not his own way. An hasty fortune maketh an enterpriser and remover (the French hath it better, entreprenant, or remuant); but the exercised fortune maketh the able man. Fortune is to be honored and respected, and it be but for her daughters, Confidence and Reputation. For those two, Felicity breedeth; the first within a man's self, the latter in others towards him. All wise men, to decline the envy of their own virtues, use to ascribe them to Providence and Fortune; for so they may the better assume them: and, besides, it is greatness in a man, to be the care of the higher powers. So Caesar said to the pilot in the tempest, Caesarem portas, et fortunam ejus. So Sylla chose the name of Felix, and not of Magnus. And it hath been noted, that those who ascribe openly too much to their own wisdom and policy, end infortunate. It is written that Timotheus the Athenian, after he had, in the account he gave to the state of his government, often interlaced this speech, and in this, Fortune had no part, never prospered in anything, he undertook afterwards. Certainly there be, whose fortunes are like Homer's verses, that have a slide and easiness more than the verses of other poets; as Plutarch saith of Timoleon's fortune, in respect of that of Agesilaus or Epaminondas. And that this should be, no doubt it is much, in a man's self.
There is no denying that outside events contribute greatly to success. These include favor, opportunity, the deaths of others, and occasions suited to a person’s abilities. But a person’s fortune is chiefly shaped by their own hands. As the poet says, “Everyone is the maker of their own fortune.” The most common outside cause of success is that one person’s foolishness makes another’s fortune. Nothing makes a person prosper so quickly as the mistakes of others. “A serpent cannot become a dragon unless it eats another serpent.” Obvious, visible virtues bring praise. But secret, hidden virtues bring success. These are certain ways of carrying oneself for which we have no name. The Spanish word desemboltura partly expresses them. It describes a nature free from hesitation or stubborn resistance. The wheels of such a person’s mind keep pace with the wheels of their fortune. Livy describes Cato the Elder in these words. “He had such strength of body and mind that, wherever he had been born, he seemed certain to make his fortune.” Livy then adds that he had a versatile mind. So anyone who looks closely and carefully will see Fortune. Though she is blind, she is not invisible. The path of fortune resembles the Milky Way in the sky. It is a cluster of countless small stars, invisible separately but shining together. Likewise, many small, barely noticeable virtues make people fortunate, or rather, abilities and habits do. The Italians point out some that people would hardly expect. When describing someone who can do no wrong, they add “a little madness” to that person’s other qualities. Certainly, no two qualities bring more good fortune than a little foolishness and not too much honesty. That is why those devoted beyond measure to their country or masters have never been fortunate, nor can they be. When a person directs their thoughts toward others rather than themselves, they do not follow their own path. Sudden good fortune makes a person bold in undertaking things and eager for change. The French express this better with entreprenant and remuant. But fortune tested through experience makes a person capable. Fortune deserves honor and respect, if only for her daughters, Confidence and Reputation. Success produces both. It creates confidence within a person and reputation in the eyes of others. All wise people credit Providence and Fortune for their virtues to avoid provoking envy. This lets them claim those virtues more freely. Besides, being cared for by higher powers is itself a mark of greatness. Thus Caesar told the pilot during a storm, “You carry Caesar and his fortune.” Likewise, Sulla chose the name Felix, meaning “Fortunate,” rather than Magnus, meaning “Great.” People who openly credit their own wisdom and strategy too much have been observed to end in misfortune. It is written that Timotheus the Athenian repeatedly used this phrase when reporting to the state on his administration. “And in this, Fortune had no part.” Afterward, he never prospered in anything he undertook. Certainly, some people’s fortunes resemble Homer’s verses, flowing more smoothly and easily than those of other poets. Plutarch says this of Timoleon’s fortune compared with that of Agesilaus or Epaminondas. And undoubtedly, much of the reason for this lies within the person.