--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I think about that centurion from time to…" description: "\"“I think about that centurion from time to time and wonder, had he retired to a farm in Campagna, happy with his harvest of grapes and grandchildren, o..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d25/andrew-levkoff-19804_centurion_i-think-about-that-centurion-from-time-t_2830888.jpg" --- # I think about that centurion from time to time and wonder… ![“I think about that centurion from time to time and wonder, had he retired to a farm in Campagna, happy with his harvest of grapes and grandchildren, or had he fallen amongst his comrades on some distant, ruined field, defending the honor and the ever-expanding borders of the Republic? What we…” quote by Andrew Levkoff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d25/andrew-levkoff-19804_centurion_i-think-about-that-centurion-from-time-t_2830888.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d25/andrew-levkoff-19804_centurion_i-think-about-that-centurion-from-time-t_2830888.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d25/andrew-levkoff-19804_centurion_i-think-about-that-centurion-from-time-t_2830888.jpg) > ““I think about that centurion from time to time and wonder, had he retired to a farm in Campagna, happy with his harvest of grapes and grandchildren, or had he fallen amongst his comrades on some distant, ruined field, defending the honor and the ever-expanding borders of the Republic? What we foreigners have failed to comprehend over the centuries is that the proud centurion would have found either fate equally satisfying. This is why Rome grows, and the rest of the world shrinks.”” [Andrew Levkoff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-levkoff/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The passage reflects on a Roman centurion’s possible fates, suggesting that both a peaceful retirement and heroic death satisfy the same drive, illustrating Rome’s relentless expansion. **In simple terms:** A soldier’s pride makes both peace and battle equally fulfilling, fueling empire growth. Key Takeaway Recognize that purpose can be found in varied outcomes. Themes duty legacy imperialism Mood reflective serious Type historical philosophical When to use this quote - military history - philosophical debate - literary analysis Key Concepts honor choice fate Questions to Reflect On - What defines a fulfilling life for a warrior? - How does empire ambition shape personal destiny? A Different Perspective Over‑idealizing Roman virtues may ignore individual suffering. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Centurion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/centurion/) [Centurion Fate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/centurion-fate-3656867/) [Philosophy of life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/philosophy-of-life/) [Proud Centurion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/proud-centurion-3656868/) [Rome](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/rome/) [Rome Grows](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/rome-grows-3656869/) [Think Centurion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/think-centurion-3656866/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) ## Related quotes > [No," Frank said. "I'm only a centurion." Jason cursed in Latin. "He means he can't control a whole legion. 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Love is a thing shared, an intertwining…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-levkoff/there-is-no-such-thing-as-unrequited-love-the-phrase-ought-to-be/) [Andrew Levkoff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-levkoff/) [Explore all 32 Andrew Levkoff quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-levkoff/) ## More Centurion quotes > [“Julius waited stone-faced as the other centurions scattered to their centuries, eager to make sure their men were ready for a forced march, none…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-riches/julius-waited-stone-faced-as-the-other-centurions-scattered-to-their/) [Anthony Riches](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-riches/) > [“Soldiers of the Ninth Century, I am your new centurion, Marcus Tribulus Corvus. From this moment I formally assume command of this century, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-riches/soldiers-of-the-ninth-century-i-am-your-new-centurion-marcus-tribulus/) [Anthony Riches](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-riches/) > [“You're a throwback." "To what?" Jess considered this. Hi-tech at work, Emily was paradoxically old-fashioned in her life. She didn't even own a television.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/allegra-goodman/you-re-a-throwback-to-what-jess-considered-this-hi-tech-at-work-emily/) [Allegra Goodman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/allegra-goodman/) > [“Century was an occasional thing in cricket, Sachin made it frequent.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amit-kalantri/century-was-an-occasional-thing-in-cricket-sachin-made-it-frequent/) [Amit Kalantri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amit-kalantri/) > [ "Centurion" is probably one of my favorites \[of RZA Day \]. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/earl-sweatshirt/centurion-is-probably-one-of-my-favorites-of-rza-day/) [Earl Sweatshirt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/earl-sweatshirt/) > [“A Roman centurion walks into a bar and orders a martinus. The bartender says, "Don't you mean a martini?" The centurion answers, "If I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harlan-wolff/a-roman-centurion-walks-into-a-bar-and-orders-a-martinus-the/) [Harlan Wolff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harlan-wolff/) > [“Frank, how did you do that?" Jason yelled. Frank's head swam with pain. He forced himself not to pass out. "I'm the ranking Roman…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-riordan/frank-how-did-you-do-that-jason-yelled-frank-s-head-swam-with-pain-he/) [Rick Riordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-riordan/) > [“Septimus grinned. "It's not coins I seek. I seek the power of Hercules.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jason-born/septimus-grinned-it-s-not-coins-i-seek-i-seek-the-power-of-hercules/) [Jason Born](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jason-born/) > [No," Frank said. "I'm only a centurion." Jason cursed in Latin. "He means he can't control a whole legion. He's not of high enough…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-riordan/no-frank-said-i-m-only-a-centurion-jason-cursed-in-latin-he-means-he/) [Rick Riordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-riordan/) [Browse all 10 Centurion quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/centurion/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“I think about that centurion from time to time and wonder, had he retired to a farm in Campagna, happy with his harvest of grapes and grandchildren, or had he fallen amongst his comrades on some distant, ruined field, defending the honor and the ever-expanding borders of the Republic? What we foreigners have failed to comprehend over the centuries is that the proud centurion would have found either fate equally satisfying. 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