CIVIL CHARACTER OF JULIUS OESAR. 481 



as soon as that was done, and the state settled, 

 instantly he advanced in his expedition against the 

 Parthians. 



He was, no doubt, of a very noble mind ; but 

 yet such as aimed more at his particular advance 

 ment, than at any merits for the common good. 

 For he referred all things to himself; and was the 

 true and perfect centre of all his actions. By which 

 means, being so fast tied to his ends, he was still 

 prosperous, and prevailed in his purposes; insomuch, 

 that neither country, nor religion, nor good turns 

 done him, nor kindred, nor friendship diverted his 

 appetite, nor bridled him from pursuing his own 

 ends. Neither was he much inclined to works 

 of perpetuity ; for he established nothing for the 

 future; he founded no sumptuous buildings; he 

 procured to be enacted no wholesome laws, but still 

 minded himself: and so his thoughts were confined 

 within the circle of his own life. He sought indeed 

 after fame and reputation, because he thought they 

 might be profitable to his designs : otherwise, in his 

 inward thoughts, he propounded to himself rather 

 absoluteness of power, than honour and fame. For 

 as for honour and fame, he pursued not after them 

 for themselves ; but because they were the instru 

 ments of power and greatness. And therefore he 

 was carried on through a natural inclination, not by 

 any rules that he had learned to affect the sole 

 regiment; and rather to enjoy the same, than to 

 seem worthy of it. And by this means he won much 



