[41] The meaning is that no man is possest by curiosity unless some malevolence inspires him.

[42] Narses was the associate of Belisarius in command of the Roman army in Italy in 538-539, and greatly distinguished himself as the sole commander in later years.

[43] Agesilaus was a famous king of Sparta.

[44] Now commonly written Tamerlane, which stands for Timour the Lame, Timour being his real name.

[45] Adrian, now commonly called Hadrian, emperor of Rome, was born in 76, and died in 138.

[46] This saying has been translated "Envy keeps no holidays."

[47] Busbechius, scholar and diplomat of Flanders, was born in 1522 and died in 1592.

[48] The meaning is that one may be so good as to be good for nothing.

[49] Machiavelli, the famous author of "The Prince."

[50] The reference is to Timon of Athens, a real person, who is the subject of one of Shakespeare's plays.