Amongste the wise (right Honorable) whose sentences (for the moste parte) tende either to teache the [Sidenote: _Plotinus._] attayning of vertue or eschuing of vice, _Plotinus_ that wonderfull and excellent Philosopher hath these wordes: The property of Temperaunce is to couet nothing which may be repented: not to excede the bands of measure, & to kepe Desire vnder the yoke of Reason. Whiche saying if it were so well knowen, as it is nedefull; so well embraced, as is[53] wished; or so surely fixed in minde, as it is printed in his workes: then certis many Christians might by the instruction of an Ethnicke Philosopher, shun great and daungerous perils. For to couet without consideration, to passe the measure of his degree, and to let will run at randon, is the only destruction of all estates. Else howe were it possible, so many learned, polliticke, wise, renoumed, valiaunt, and victorious personages, might euer haue come to such vtter decay? For example, wee haue[54] _Alexander_ the Great, _Cæsar_, _Pompey_, _Cyrus_, _Hannibal_, &c. All which [Sidenote: _Quintus (by desier of glorye) felte the reward of theire Curtius._] immoderate and insatiable lustes: for if _Alexander_ had beene content with Macedonie, or not beene pufte vp with pride after his triumphes, hee had neuer beene so miserably poysoned. If _Cæsar_ and _Pompey_ had beene satisfied with theire victories, and had not fell to ciuill discention, the one had not beene slaine in the senate with daggers, nor the other abroade, by their frendes procurement. If _Cyrus_ had beene [Sidenote: _Iustinus pleased with all Persia, and Media, and not thirsted lib. 1._] for bloud, hee had neuer com to so infortunate a fall. So if _Hanniball_ had not so much delited [Sidenote: _Plutarchus._] in glorye of warfare, his countrey had neyther fell in ruine, nor hee bene miserably forced [Sidenote: _Liuius._] to poyson himselfe. But you will say, desire of [Sidenote: _Polibius._] fame, glorye, renowne, and immortalitie (to which all men well nighe by[55] nature are inclined, especially those which excell or haue any singuler gift of fortune or[56] the body) moued them to such daungerous, great, and hardy enterprises, which must needes be confessed[57] as an infallible veritie: and therefore I suerly[58] deeme those Princes aboue specified (considering their[59] fortunes, fame, and exploytes) had neuer come to suche ende, but for wante of temperance. And now[60] sithe there are three other Cardinall vertues which are requisite in him that should bee in authoritye: that is to saye, Prudence, Iustice, and Fortitude, which so wonderfully adorne and beautifie all estates (If Temperaunce bee with them adioyned, that they moue the very enemies with admiration to prayse them) some peraduenture (as affection leades) will commende one, some another: as[61] _Aristotle_ the Prince of [Sidenote: _Arist._]