Julius Caesar

Roman dictator and conqueror

Ancient influential 125 sayings

Sayings by Julius Caesar

I would rather be first in a small village in Gaul than second in Rome.

60s BCE — Reported by Plutarch as something Caesar said during his early career
Strange & Unusual Confirmed

Men readily believe what they wish to be true.

50s BCE — From Caesar's "Commentarii de Bello Gallico"
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

It is easier to find men who will volunteer to die, than to find those who are willing to endure pain with patience.

46 BCE — From "The African War" (attributed to Caesar's writings)
Strange & Unusual Confirmed

The die is cast.

49 BCE — When crossing the Rubicon, as reported by Suetonius
Strange & Unusual Confirmed

You too, my child?

44 BCE — Last words to Brutus (in Greek) according to Suetonius
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

I am not afraid of a man who has practiced 10,000 kicks once, but I am afraid of a man who has practiced one kick 10,000 times.

— Attributed to Caesar but likely misattributed
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

Experience is the teacher of all things.

40s BCE — From "De Bello Civili"
Strange & Unusual Confirmed

Without training, they lacked knowledge. Without knowledge, they lacked confidence. Without confidence, they lacked victory.

50s BCE — From "De Bello Gallico"
Strange & Unusual Confirmed

In war, events of importance are the result of trivial causes.

40s BCE — From "De Bello Civili"
Strange & Unusual Confirmed

Which death is preferable to every other? The unexpected.

— Reported by Plutarch
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

Veni, vidi, vici.

47 BCE — Reportedly sent in a letter to the Roman Senate after his swift victory at the Battle of Zela.
Humorous Confirmed

Iacta alea est.

49 BCE — Said as he crossed the Rubicon River, initiating civil war.
Humorous Unverifiable

It is not these well-fed long-haired men that I fear, but the pale and the hungry-looking.

Approx. 44 BCE — Referring to Cassius and Brutus, who would later assassinate him.
Humorous Confirmed

I had rather be first in a village than second at Rome.

Early in his career — Said while passing through a small Alpine village, expressing his intense ambition.
Humorous Unverifiable

I love treason but hate a traitor.

Not specified — A cynical remark on the usefulness of betrayal, even while despising the person who commits it.
Humorous Confirmed

Cowards die many times before their actual deaths; the valiant never taste of death but once.

44 BCE — Said to Calpurnia, his wife, when she urged him to stay home due to omens.
Humorous Confirmed

What we wish, we readily believe, and what we ourselves think, we imagine others think also.

Not specified — An observation on human psychology and self-deception.
Humorous Confirmed

Veni, vidi, vici. (I came, I saw, I conquered.)

47 BC — Reportedly written in a letter to the Roman Senate after his swift victory at Zela (47 BC)
Controversial Unverifiable

Alea iacta est. (The die is cast.)

49 BC — Upon crossing the Rubicon River, defying the Senate
Controversial Unverifiable

It is better to create than to learn! Creating is the essence of life.

1st century AD — Attributed in Plutarch's *Life of Caesar*
Controversial Unverifiable