“I have always reckoned the dignity of the republic of first importance and preferable to life.”
July 12, 100 BC – March 15, 44 BC
Roman
Military General, Statesman, Dictator of the Roman Republic, Author
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Quote
“I have always reckoned the dignity of the republic of first importance and preferable to life.”
Explanation
In this quote, Julius Caesar expresses a public devotion to the Roman Republic, claiming that its dignity and preservation surpass even the value of his own life. Such a statement reflects the traditional Roman ideal of sacrificing personal interest for the common good, a virtue highly esteemed in Roman political culture. Caesar presents himself as a guardian of republican values, emphasizing that his loyalty lies with the state, not with personal power or survival.
However, the historical irony is striking. Caesar’s later accumulation of power, culminating in his appointment as dictator for life, would be seen by many contemporaries—especially his assassins—as a betrayal of the very republican ideals he professed to uphold. This quote thus can be interpreted in two ways: as a genuine expression of principle in his earlier career, or as political rhetoric designed to portray himself as a selfless leader while he gradually dismantled the traditional republican system.
In modern contexts, the quote touches on the enduring question of where loyalty should lie in public service: with personal ambition or with constitutional principles. Leaders today still invoke similar declarations, claiming to prioritize democracy, rule of law, or national integrity over personal gain. Caesar’s statement serves both as a model of civic virtue and a reminder to scrutinize whether actions match words, especially when power is at stake.
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