Julius Caesar

Roman dictator and conqueror

Ancient influential 125 sayings

Sayings by Julius Caesar

If you must break the law, do it to seize power; in all other cases, observe it.

1st century AD — Attributed by Suetonius
Controversial Unverifiable

Men willingly believe what they wish.

58–50 BC — From *Commentarii de Bello Gallico*
Controversial Confirmed

I would rather be the first man in a barbarian village than the second man in Rome.

1st century BC — Reportedly said in his youth
Controversial Unverifiable

The evil that men do lives after them; the good is oft interred with their bones.

1st century BC — Shakespeare's *Julius Caesar*, possibly derived from historical sources
Controversial Confirmed

No one is so brave that he is not disturbed by something unexpected.

58–50 BC — From *Commentarii de Bello Gallico*
Controversial Confirmed

The greatest enemy will hide in the last place you would ever look.

1st century BC — Attributed in military writings
Controversial Unverifiable

The Belgians are the bravest of all the Gauls, because they are the furthest from civilization.

58–50 BC — From *Commentarii de Bello Gallico*
Controversial Unverifiable

You too, Brutus?

44 BC — Allegedly his last words upon being assassinated
Controversial Unverifiable

I have lived long enough to satisfy both nature and glory.

44 BC — Reportedly said before his assassination
Controversial Unverifiable

I have often noticed that even the bravest men are terrified by sudden alarms.

58–50 BC — From *Commentarii de Bello Gallico*
Controversial Unverifiable

The rule of the mob is no better than the rule of a tyrant.

1st century BC — Attributed in political writings
Controversial Unverifiable

The gods favor the bold.

1st century BC — Attributed in military writings
Controversial Unverifiable

The Britons are the most ignorant people I have ever encountered.

55–54 BC — From *Commentarii de Bello Gallico*
Controversial Unverifiable

I would rather be feared than loved.

1st century AD — Attributed by Suetonius
Controversial Unverifiable

The fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars, but in ourselves.

1st century BC — Shakespeare's *Julius Caesar*, possibly derived from historical sources
Controversial Unverifiable

The Germans are a race without culture or discipline.

58–50 BC — From *Commentarii de Bello Gallico*
Controversial Unverifiable

I have not brought myself to such a pass that I should fear death.

44 BC — Reportedly said before his assassination
Controversial Unverifiable

The more laws, the less justice.

1st century BC — Attributed in political writings
Controversial Unverifiable

The Gauls are brave, but they lack discipline.

58–50 BC — From *Commentarii de Bello Gallico*
Controversial Unverifiable

The noblest death is that which is unexpected.

1st century AD — Attributed by Suetonius
Controversial Unverifiable