Julius Caesar quotes

Julius Caesar was a Roman general, statesman, and a key figure in the transformation of the Roman Republic into the Roman Empire. His military conquests and political reforms greatly expanded Rome’s influence and changed its government. He remains one of history’s most influential leaders and a symbol of ambition and power. Here are 44 of his quotes:

I came, I saw, I conquered.

Julius Caesar

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

Julius Caesar

Experience is the teacher of all things.

Julius Caesar

I love treason but hate a traitor.

Julius Caesar

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

Julius Caesar

People readily believe what they want to believe.

Julius Caesar

Caesar's wife must be above suspicion.

Julius Caesar

The die is cast.

Julius Caesar

Fortune, which has a great deal of power in other matters but especially in war, can bring about great changes in a situation through very slight forces.

Julius Caesar

I will not ... that my wife be so much as suspected.

Julius Caesar

All Gaul is divided into three parts.

Julius Caesar

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

Julius Caesar

The immortal gods are wont to allow those persons whom they wish to punish for their guilt sometimes a greater prosperity and longer impunity, in order that they may suffer the more severely from a reverse of circumstances.

Julius Caesar

I prefer nothing but that they act like themselves, and I like myself.

Julius Caesar

Vercingetorix, having convened a council the following day, declares, "That he had undertaken that war, not on account of his own exigencies, but on account of the general freedom; and since he must yield to fortune, he offered himself to them for either purpose, whether they should wish to atone to the Romans by his death, or surrender him alive." Ambassadors are sent to Caesar on this subject. He orders their arms to be surrendered, and their chieftains delivered up. He seated himself at the head of the lines in front of the camp, the Gallic chieftains are brought before him. They surrender Vercingetorix, and lay down their arms.

Julius Caesar

It was an enormous struggle to destroy the Belgian nation.

Julius Caesar

Of all these, the Belgae are the bravest/strongest .

Julius Caesar

There are also animals which are called elks [alces "moose" in Am. Engl.; elk "wapiti"]. The shape of these, and the varied colour of their skins, is much like roes, but in size they surpass them a little and are destitute of horns, and have legs without joints and ligatures; nor do they lie down for the purpose of rest, nor, if they have been thrown down by any accident, can they raise or lift themselves up. Trees serve as beds to them; they lean themselves against them, and thus reclining only slightly, they take their rest; when the huntsmen have discovered from the footsteps of these animals whither they are accustomed to betake themselves, they either undermine all the trees at the roots, or cut into them so far that the upper part of the trees may appear to be left standing. When they have leant upon them, according to their habit, they knock down by their weight the unsupported trees, and fall down themselves along with them.

Julius Caesar

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

Julius Caesar

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

Julius Caesar

Men in general are quick to believe that which they wish to be true.

Julius Caesar

The difference between a republic and an empire is the loyalty of one's army.

Julius Caesar