Quotes from Plutarch's Lives

12 notable lines from Plutarch · c. 110

I came, I saw, I conquered.

Julius Caesar's dispatch after the battle of Zela, Life of Caesar

Quotations follow the Robin Waterfield translation (Oxford University Press, 2008) — our recommended edition.

  1. The die is cast.

    Julius Caesar, crossing the Rubicon, Life of Caesar · trans. Dryden/Clough

  2. It must be borne in mind that my design is not to write histories, but lives.

    Life of Alexander · trans. Dryden/Clough

  3. I am not making history. I am making lives.

    Plutarch (paraphrased)

  4. The mind is not a vessel to be filled, but a fire to be kindled.

    Plutarch (from On Listening)

  5. If he were not Alexander, he would choose to be Diogenes.

    Alexander, on the philosopher Diogenes, Life of Alexander · trans. Dryden/Clough

  6. Strike, if you will, but hear.

    Themistocles to Eurybiades before Salamis, Life of Themistocles · trans. Dryden/Clough

  7. For my part, I had rather be the first man among these fellows, than the second man in Rome.

    Julius Caesar, passing a poor Alpine village, Life of Caesar · trans. Dryden/Clough

  8. "So would I," said Alexander, "if I were Parmenio."

    Alexander, replying to Parmenio on Darius's peace offer, Life of Alexander · trans. Dryden

  9. You speak truth; I should never have been famous if I had been of Seriphus; nor you, had you been of Athens.

    Themistocles to a man of Seriphus, Life of Themistocles · trans. Dryden/Clough

  10. Be ruled by time, the wisest counsellor of all.

    Pericles, advising Tolmides, Life of Pericles · trans. Dryden/Clough

  11. A dead man does not bite.

    Theodotus of Chios, urging the murder of Pompey, Life of Pompey · trans. Perrin