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The exceeding good fortune of Polycrates did not escape the notice of
Amasis, who was much disturbed thereat. When therefore his successes
continued increasing, Amasis wrote him the following letter, and sent
it to Samos. "Amasis to Polycrates thus sayeth: It is a pleasure
to hear of a friend and ally prospering, but thy exceeding prosperity
does not cause me joy, forasmuch as I know that the gods are envious.
My wish for myself and for those whom I love is to be now successful,
and now to meet with a check; thus passing through life amid alternate
good and ill, rather than with perpetual good fortune. For never yet
did I hear tell of any one succeeding in all his undertakings, who did
not meet with calamity at last, and come to utter ruin. Now,
therefore, give ear to my words, and meet thy good luck in this way:
bethink thee which of all thy treasures thou valuest most and canst
least bear to part with; take it, whatsoever it be, and throw it
away, so that it may be sure never to come any more into the sight of
man. Then, if thy good fortune be not thenceforth chequered with
ill, save thyself from harm by again doing as I have counselled."
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