Nero

Roman Emperor, fiddled while Rome burned

Contemporary weird famous 65 sayings

Sayings by Nero

I will kill anyone who stands in my way.

c. 60s AD — General threat, reported by various ancient historians
Controversial Unverifiable

I will burn Rome.

64 AD — Attributed to him as a motive for the Great Fire, reported by Suetonius (though disputed)
Controversial Unverifiable

I will make the Christians my torches.

64 AD — Reported by Tacitus, regarding the persecution after the Great Fire
Controversial Unverifiable

I will make the Roman people my slaves.

c. 60s AD — Reported by Dio Cassius, 'Roman History'
Controversial Unverifiable

I will make the world my orchestra.

c. 60s AD — Reported by Suetonius, indicating his artistic megalomania
Controversial Unverifiable

I will make the world my stage for glory.

c. 60s AD — Reported by Tacitus, 'Annals'
Controversial Unverifiable

I will make the world my pleasure dome.

c. 60s AD — Reported by Dio Cassius, 'Roman History'
Controversial Unverifiable

I will make the world my brothel of delights.

c. 60s AD — Reported by Suetonius, indicating his depravity
Controversial Unverifiable

I will make the world my private theater.

c. 60s AD — Reported by Suetonius, referring to his performances
Controversial Unverifiable

I will make the world my playground of vice.

c. 60s AD — Reported by Tacitus, 'Annals'
Controversial Unverifiable

I will make the world my artistic masterpiece.

c. 60s AD — Reported by Suetonius, referring to his architectural and artistic ambitions
Controversial Unverifiable

I will make the world my personal spectacle.

c. 60s AD — Reported by Suetonius, referring to his public displays
Controversial Unverifiable

I will make the world my personal stage for destruction.

c. 60s AD — Reported by Suetonius
Controversial Unverifiable

What an artist the world loses in me!

68 AD — Reported by Suetonius, uttered as he lay dying, lamenting his artistic talent.
Humorous Unverifiable

I alone know what is good for the Roman people.

c. 54-68 AD — Reported by Tacitus, asserting his absolute authority.
Humorous Unverifiable

I have found a way to make the world happy.

c. 54-68 AD — Reported by Suetonius, regarding his extravagant games and entertainment.
Humorous Unverifiable

Let us enjoy life while we can, for tomorrow we may die.

c. 54-68 AD — Reported by various ancient historians, reflecting his hedonistic philosophy.
Humorous Unverifiable

I will build a new Rome, a golden city!

64 AD — Reported by Tacitus, after the Great Fire of Rome, referring to his Domus Aurea.
Humorous Unverifiable

No one has ever understood my genius.

c. 54-68 AD — Reported by Suetonius, complaining about critics of his artistic endeavors.
Humorous Unverifiable

I am the only one who can sing and play the lyre like a god.

c. 54-68 AD — Reported by Dio Cassius, boasting about his musical talents.
Humorous Unverifiable