OF FORTUNE.                                221

rare.     But   if   the    force    of   custom,   simple   and
separate,  be  great,   the   force  of  custom   copulate
and  conjoined  and   collegiate,   is   far  greater;  for
there example teacheth, company comforteth, emula¬
tion quickeneth, glory raiseth ; so as in such places
the force of custom is in his exaltation.     Certainly,
the   great   multiplication   of   virtues   upon   human
nature resteth upon societies well ordained and dis¬
ciplined.    For  commonwealths   and   good   govern¬
ments do nourish virtue grown, but do  not much
mend the seeds.     But the misery is, that the most
effectual means are now applied to the ends least to
be desired.
 

XL.
 

OF FORTUNE.
 

It cannot be denied but outward accidents conduce
much to fortune : favour, opportunity, death of others,
occasion fitting virtue. But chiefly, the mould of a
man's fortune is in his own hands.     Faber quisque