Caesar Quote by Bertolt Brecht
““When the Chinese Wall was built, where'd the masons go for lunch? When Caesar conquered Gaul, was there not even a cook in the army? When the Armada sank, King Philip wept. Were there no other tears?””
About This Quote
Source Play: The Good Soldier Švejk (attributed), 1930s
The quote uses historical absurdities to highlight how people focus on grand events while ignoring mundane details that sustain daily life.
In simple terms: People often overlook ordinary needs amid big events.
Notice and value everyday contributions.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- military campaigns
- construction projects
- naval battles
- everyday work
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- What ordinary tasks are ignored during crises?
- How does humor reveal hidden truths?
It may exaggerate for comedic effect, not a literal historical account.