men, for one opposite useth not to accompany another; nature refuseth to have contraries joined. So that, since there is no doubt but that men of the worst sort often enjoy dignities, it is also manifest that they are not naturally good which may follow most naughty men. Which may more worthily be thought of all fortune's gifts which are more plentifully bestowed upon every lewd companion. Concerning which, I take that also to be worthy consideration, that no man doubteth him to be a valiant man in whom he seeth valour, and it is manifest that he which hath swiftness is swift. So, likewise, music maketh musicians, physic physicians, and rhetoric rhetoricians. For the nature of everything doth that which is proper unto it, and is not mixed with contrary effects but repelleth all opposites. But neither can riches extinguish unsatiable avarice, nor power make him master of himself whom vicious lusts keep chained in strongest fetters. And dignity bestowed upon wicked men doth not only not make them worthy but rather bewrayeth and discovereth their unworthiness. How cometh this to pass? Because in miscalling things that are otherwise, you take a pleasure which is easily refuted by the effect of the things themselves. Wherefore, by right, these things are not to be called riches, this is not to be called power, that is not to be called dignity. Lastly, we may conclude the same of all fortunes in which it is manifest there is nothing to be desired, nothing naturally good, which neither are always bestowed upon good men, nor do make them good whom they are bestowed upon. [112] The subject of _deferantur_ is _dignitates potentiaque_. [113] The free man was the philosopher Anaxarchus: the tyrant, Nicocreon the Cypriote. For the story see Diogenes Laertius ix. 59. [114] Cf. Apollod. ii. 5. 11; Claudian xviii. 159; Virg. _Georg._ iii. 4. [115] Cf. Cicero, _De Off._ iii. 99. VI. Nouimus quantas dederit ruinas Vrbe flammata patribusque caesis Fratre qui quondam ferus interempto Matris effuso maduit cruore Corpus et uisu gelidum pererrans 5 Ora non tinxit lacrimis, sed esse Censor extincti potuit decoris. Hic tamen sceptro populos regebat Quos uidet condens radios sub undas Phoebus extremo ueniens ab ortu, 10 Quos premunt septem gelidi triones, Quos Notus sicco uiolentus aestu Torret ardentes recoquens harenas. Celsa num tandem ualuit potestas Vertere praui rabiem Neronis? 15 Heu grauem sortem, quotiens iniquus Additur saeuo gladius ueneno!" VI.