31+ Quotes From Julius Caesar To Help Your Shakespeare Studies

'Julius Caesar' is one of the most well-known tragedies by William Shakespeare.

The play was written in 1599 and first published in 1623. The tragedy revolves around Caesar's assassination conspired by his friends and allies, followed by a battle to avenge Caesar's death.

"Et Tu Brute?" is the most famous line from 'Julius Caesar' that has probably stuck with generations of people for as long as this play has been appreciated, like several other works of Shakespeare.

'Julius Caesar' was one of the very first plays by Shakespeare performed in the Globe theater.

The play begins with Caesar's victory against the sons of his rival Pompey and eventually his motto of ruling the Roman Empire as a dictator is revealed, through the perspective of other characters.

The plot thickens as influential Romans conspire to assassinate Caesar and succeed, leading to the classic ending of a tragedy. This collection of 'Julius Caesar' quotes will take you through some of the major events in the play, along with quotes that are an example of why this piece is regarded as a literary masterpiece.

If you like this content about quotes from the 'Julius Caesar' play by William Shakespeare, then you will definitely like our other articles on Shakespeare's quotes about death and 'Twelfth Night' quotes.

Important Quotes From ‘Julius Caesar’

Listed below are some 'Julius Caesar' quotes from key moments in the play, portraying the character's display of power and political agendas.

1. "Cowards die many times before their deaths;

The valiant never taste of death but once."

- Caesar, Act 2, Scene 2.

2. "Friends, Romans, countrymen, lend me your ears;

I come to bury Caesar, not to praise him."

- Antony, Act 3, Scene 2.

3. "But, for mine own part, it was Greek to me. I could tell you more news too: Marullus and Flavius, for pulling scarfs off Caesar's images, are put to silence. Fare you well. There was more foolery yet, if I could remember it."

- Casca, Act 1, Scene 2.

4. "Et tu, Brute?"

- Caesar, Act 3, Scene 1.

5. "I was born free as Caesar; so were you;

We both have fed as well, and we can both

Endure the winter's cold as well as he:"

- Cassius, Act 1, Scene 2.

6. "You blocks, you stones, you worse than senseless things!

O you hard hearts, you cruèl men of Rome,

Knew you not Pompey?"

- Marullus, Act 1, Scene 1.

7. "Would he were fatter! But I fear him not:

Yet if my name were liable to fear,

I do not know the man I should avoid

So soon as that spare Cassius."

- Caesar, Act 1, Scene 2.

8. "Yet Brutus says he was ambitious;

And sure he is an honourable man."

- Antony, Act 3, Scene 2.

9. "Our hearts you see not; they are pitiful;

And pity to the general wrong of Rome-

As fire drives out fire, so pity pity-

Hath done this deed on Caesar."

- Brutus, Act 3, Scene 1.

10. "Men at some time are masters of their fates:

The fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars,

But in ourselves, that we are underlings."

- Cassius, Act 1, Scene 2.

Brutus Quotes From 'Julius Caesar'

Here are some famous quotes from Brutus in 'Julius Caesar' that showcase the political power uprising in Rome.

11. "There is a tide in the affairs of men,

Which, taken at the flood, leads on to fortune;"

- Act 4, Scene 3.

12. "As Caesar loved me, I weep for him; as he was fortunate, I rejoice at it; as he was valiant, I honor him; but, as he was ambitious, I slew him."

- Act 3, Scene 2.

13. "That every like is not the same, O Caesar,

The heart of Brutus yearns to think upon."

- Act 2, Scene 2.

15. "Set honour in one eye and death i' the other,

And I will look on both indifferently;

For let the gods so speed me as I love

The name of honour more than I fear death."

- Brutus, Act 1, Scene 2.

16. "If then that friend demand why Brutus rose against Caesar, this is my answer: Not that I loved Caesar less, but that I loved Rome more."

- Act 3, Scene 2.

17. "But, look you, Cassius,

The angry spot doth glow on Caesar's brow,

And all the rest look like a chidden train:"

- Act 1, Scene 2.

18. "Good gentlemen, look fresh and merrily;

Let not our looks put on our purposes,

But bear it as our Roman actors do,

With untired spirits and formal constancy."

- Act 2 Scene 1.

Famous 'Julius Caesar' Quotes

Some iconic quotes from Shakespeare's 'Julius Caesar' are shortlisted here for you. Have a look at these famous 'Julius Caesar' quotes, which make this play stand out.

19. "When beggars die, there are no comets seen:

The heavens themselves blaze forth the death of princes."

- Calphurnia, Act 2, Scene 2.

20. "The evil that men do lives after them,

The good is oft interred with their bones;

So let it be with Caesar."

- Antony, Act 3, Scene 2.

21. "What can be avoided

Whose end is purpos'd by the mighty gods?

Yet Caesar shall go forth; for these predictions

Are to the world in general as to Caesar."

- Caesar, Act 2, Scene 2.

22. "There are no tricks in plain and simple faith;"

- Brutus, Act 4, Scene 2.

23. "Yond Cassius has a lean and hungry look;

He thinks too much: such men are dangerous."

- Caesar, Act 1, Scene 2.

24. "Pardon me, Julius! Here wast thou bay'd, brave hart;

Here didst thou fall; and here thy hunters stand,

Sign'd in thy spoil, and crimson'd in thy lethe."

- Antony, Act 3, Scene 1.

25. "O Julius Caesar, thou art mighty yet!

Thy spirit walks abroad, and turns our swords

In our own proper entrails." - Brutus, Act 5, Scene 3.

26. "The Gods do this in shame of cowardice:

Caesar should be a beast without heart

If he should stay at home today for fear." - Caesar, Act 2, Scene 2.

27. "Th' abuse of greatness is, when it disjoins

Remorse from power; and, to speak truth of Caesar,

I have not known when his affections sway'd

More than his reason." - Brutus, Act 2, Scene 1.

28. "It seems to me most strange that men should fear,

Seeing that death, a necessary end,

Will come when it will come."

- Caesar, Act 2, Scene 2.

29. "Beware the Ides of March."

- Soothsayer, Act 1, Scene 2.

30. "Set a huge mountain 'tween my heart and tongue!

I have a man's mind, but a woman's might."

- Portia, Act 2, Scene 4.

31. "But I am constant as the northern star,

Of whose true-fix'd and resting quality

There is no fellow in the firmament."

- Ceasar, Act 3, Scene 1.

32. "Why, man, he doth bestride the narrow world

Like a Colossus, and we petty men

Walk under his huge legs, and peep about

To find ourselves dishonourable graves."

- Cassius, Act 1, Scene 2.

33. "Now let it work. Mischief, thou art afoot,

Take thou what course thou wilt!"

-Antony, Act 3 Scene 2.

second image credit: Ana Hollan / Shutterstock.com