It may be doubted whether Caesar ever spoke to himself of overthrowing the Constitution.

He came gradually to see that power and wealth were to be obtained by violent action, and only by violent action.

He had before him the examples of Marius and Sulla, both of whom had enjoyed power and had died in their beds.

There was the example, also, of others who, walking unwarily in those perilous times, had been banished as was Verres, or killed as was Catiline.

We can easily understand that he, with his great genius, should have acknowledged the need both of courage and caution.