CIVIL CHARACTER OF JULIUS C^SAR. 483 



human affairs ; and transacted all matters, especially 

 those of high consequence by himself, and not by 

 others. 



He was singularly skilful to avoid envy ; and 

 found it not impertinent to his ends, to decline that, 

 though it were with some diminution of his dignity. 

 For aiming at a real power, he was content to pass 

 by all vain pomp and outward shews of power 

 throughout his whole life ; till at the last, whether 

 high-flown with the continual exercise of power, or 

 corrupted with flatteries, he affected the ensigns of 

 power (the style and diadern of a king) which was 

 the bait that wrought his overthrow. 



This is true, that he harboured the thoughts of 

 a kingdom from his very youth : and hereunto the 

 example of Sylla, and the kindred of Marius, and 

 his emulation of Pompey, and the corruption and 

 ambition of the times, did prick him forward : but 

 then he paved his way to a kingdom, after a won 

 derful and strange manner. As first, by a popular 

 and seditious power ; afterwards by a military 

 power, and that of a general in war. For there was 

 required to effect his ends ; first, that he should 

 break the power and authority of the senate ; which, 

 as long as it stood firm, was adverse, and an hin- 

 derance, that no man could climb to sovereignty and 

 imperial command. Then the power of Crassus 

 and Pompey, was to be subdued and quelled, which 

 could nut be done otherwise, than by arms. And 

 therefore, as the most cunning contriver of his own 

 fortune, he laid his first foundation by bribes ; by 



