Everyone is aware of Julius Caesar, but how well do you really know the famous Roman general? The most famous leaders from history are also well-known for their failures. As a result, these lessons are incredibly important to learn, as they can mold your life and help you make sure that you’re not repeating what happened with Caesar. He was ambitious to a fault while being a masterful strategist, which led to his downfall after he was betrayed by one of his closest friends.
We’ve compiled a list of the 37 greatest things to learn from Julius Caesar:
1) Know your strengths and weaknesses.
2) Never underestimate the power of fear; conquer it through patience and fortitude.
3) Acknowledge people’s strengths and seize opportunities to learn from them.
4) Know when to retreat: sometimes it’s better to run than fight.
5) Rely on the advice of others who are in a higher position than you.
6) Work through difficult circumstances, but never lose your perseverance.
7) Define your objectives clearly; having a clear goal is essential for victory.
8) Use uncertainty as an opportunity to seize power and make quick moves.
9) Be willing to fight against the opinions of others; be decisive when implementing change.
10) Never listen to what others are saying; instead, focus on your own observations.
I would rather be first in a little Iberian village than second in Rome.
- Julius Caesar -
11) Have a clear vision of where you want to go and how you’re going to get there.
12) Plan carefully before acting.
13) Once the time is right, act decisively and forcefully.
14) Don’t let people pull you in a direction that you don’t feel is right for you; follow your instincts.
15) Don’t be easily intimidated by anyone else, no matter how famous they are or how many followers they have.
16) Don’t be afraid of making mistakes or taking risks; you can never know everything.
17) Don’t be afraid to ask for help if you need it, even from people that you know won’t agree with you.
18) It’s OK to take charge if no one else will do it.
19) Use your position and authority to help the people around you succeed, even if it means investing in their future yourself.
20) Learn to forgive if someone has wronged you in the past, even when it would seem logical for revenge.
21) Show your strength and power by being decisive and trusting in your own judgment.
22) Stand up for what you believe.
23) Always raise your voice in agreement with ideas that are important to you.
24) Choose wisely: don’t commit yourself to things that are not in your best interest.
25) Always think before reacting: don’t be tempted to act on impulse.
26) Be willing to take a risk if the potential reward outweighs the possibility of failure.
27) Don’t drink too much, which will cloud your judgment and lower your ability to make decisions that matter.
28) Never stop learning; it will improve every aspect of your life.
29) Never underestimate the power of persuasion.
30) Don’t pick fights with people that are stronger than you.
I came, I saw, I conquered.
- Julius Caesar -
Caesar's wife must be above suspicion.
- Julius Caesar -
31) Seek allies wherever you can find them; they can make a big difference in a fight against something much bigger than you.
32) Be optimistic and believe in yourself; an “us vs. them” mentality does nothing but gives you a short-term boost, only to eventually drain any energy that it gave at a later time.
33) Be grateful for your life, your friends and family, and what you have, even though sometimes circumstances may not be easy.
34) Be careful of what you say in public because it can come back to hurt you.
35) Make decisions only when you are sure that they are the right ones for you, without second-guessing yourself.
36) Always make a good first impression; people will see through your façade if they know that it’s fake.
37) Know when to take a step back and have patience with others, especially when they don’t deserve it.