He was a very sensible man; and the
conversations he had with me enlarged my mind and cured me of many
foolish prejudices, especially of that which I had been taught to
entertain concerning the predominance of what is called luck or fortune
in human affairs. 'Though you are called Saladin the Lucky,' said he,
'you find that your neglect of prudence has nearly brought you to the
grave even in the bloom of youth. Take my advice, and henceforward trust
more to prudence than to fortune. Let the multitude, if they will, call
you Saladin the Lucky; but call yourself, and make yourself, Saladin the
Prudent.'
"These words left an indelible impression on my mind, and gave a new turn
to my thoughts and character. My brother, Murad, his doubtless told you
our difference of opinion on the subject of predestination produced
between us frequent arguments; but we could never convince one another,
and we each have acted, through life, in consequence of our different
beliefs. To this I attribute my success and his misfortunes.
"The first rise of my fortune, as you have probably heard from Murad, was
owing to the scarlet dye, which I brought to perfection with infinite
difficulty. The powder, it is true, was accidentally found by me in our
china vases; but there it might have remained to this instant, useless,
if I had not taken the pains to make it useful.
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