Their severity preserved them long from innovation--no less by what was vicious in its excess than by what was wise in its principle.

With many great and heroic qualities, they were yet harsh to enemies--cruel to dependants--selfish to allies.

Their whole policy was to preserve themselves as they were; if they knew not the rash excesses, neither were they impelled by the generous emotions, which belong to men whose constant aspirations are to be better and to be greater;--they did not desire to be better or to be greater; their only wish was not to be different.

They sought in the future nothing but the continuance of the past; and to that past they bound themselves with customs and laws of iron.

The respect in which they held their women, as well as their disdain of pleasure, preserved them in some measure from the licentiousness common to states in which women are despised; but the respect had little of the delicacy and sentiment of individual attachment--attachment was chiefly for their own sex [78].