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But to come to those who, by their own ability and not through

fortune, have risen to be princes, I say that Moses, Cyrus,

Romulus, Theseus, and such like are the most excellent examples.

And although one may not discuss Moses, he having been a mere

executor of the will of God, yet he ought to be admired, if only

for that favour which made him worthy to speak with God. But in

considering Cyrus and others who have acquired or founded

kingdoms, all will be found admirable; and if their particular

deeds and conduct shall be considered, they will not be found

inferior to those of Moses, although he had so great a preceptor.

And in examining their actions and lives one cannot see that they

owed anything to fortune beyond opportunity, which brought them

the material to mould into the form which seemed best to them.

Without that opportunity their powers of mind would have been

extinguished, and without those powers the opportunity would have

come in vain.