It is not easy to say just what the reason was for much of his ill fortune.

Born under an unlucky planet, some people said; but that, of course, is childish.

The real reason doubtless was lack of good judgment in his business enterprises.
Whatever he undertook nearly always turned out badly.

His carts and ploughs broke unaccountably, his horses were strangely prone to run away and smash things, and something was frequently the matter with his crops.

Twice, I remember, he broke a leg, and each time he had to lie six weeks on his back for the bone to knit.