Julius Caesar is a Shakespeare play with many instantly recognisable quotes – ‘Friends, Romans, countrymen’ anyone? As with so many of his plays Shakespeare brings the characters to life with fantastic dialogue and some very memorable quotes. Read our selection of the very best Julius Caesar quotes below, along with the character speaking, act and scene.

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)

Beware the Ides of March.

Soothsayer (Act 1 Scene 2)

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)

Yond Cassius has a lean and hungry look:
He thinks too much: such men are dangerous

Caesar (Act 1 Scene 2)


Casca (Act 1 Scene 2)

Let’s carve him as a dish fit for the gods.

Brutus (Act 2 Scene 1)

When beggars die there are no comets seen:
The heavens themselves blaze forth the death of princes.

Calphurnia (Act 2, Scene 2)

Death, a necessary end, will come when it will come

Ceasar (Act 2, Scene 2)

Cowards die many times before their deaths,
The valiant never taste of death but once.
Of all the wonders that I yet have heard,
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)

Et tu, Brute?

Caesar (Act 3, Scene 1)

But I am constant as the Northern Star,
Of whose true fixed and resting quality
There is no fellow in the firmament.

Ceasar (Act 3, Scene 1)

Cry havoc and let slip the dogs of war.

(Antony, Act 3 Scene 1)

As he was valiant, I honor him. But as he was ambitious, I slew him.

Brutus (Act 3, Scene 2)


Antony (Act 3, Scene 2)


Brutus (Act 3 Scene 2)

Friends, Romans, countrymen, lend me your ears.

Antony (Act 3, Scene 2)

This was the most unkindest cut of all.

Antony (Act 3 Scene 2)

The evil that men do lives after them
The good is oft interred with their bones.

Mark Antony (Act 3, Scene 2)

Romans, countrymen and lovers! Hear me for my cause

Brutus (Act 3, Scene 2)

There is a tide in the affairs of men.

Brutus (Act 4 Scene 3)

Are there any great Julius Caesar quotes that are missing from the above list? Please let us know in the comments below!

Read Julius Caesar quotes translated into modern English.

  • Lori Zuber says:

    My favorite from Julius Caesar:
    “His life was gentle; and the elements so mixed in him that Nature might stand up and say to all the world,

  • Norman Parks says:

    Check your webpage on Julius Caesar Quotes in Modern English.
    In which Universe does “For Brutus is an honourable man; So are they all, all honourable men.” translate into English as “As he was valiant, I honour him; but, as he was ambitious, I slew him.” ???!!!!!!

    It appears that this site’s Editor is an expert on Shakespeare but the site’s webmaster is Nerd and has never read any of Shakespeare’s plays or Sonnets !!!

    Norman Parks