In most cases men willingly believe what they wish.
• Book III, Chapter 18
• As quoted in The Adventurer No. 69 (3 July 1753) in The Works of Samuel Johnson (1837) edited by Arthur Murphy, p. 32
• Compare: "What each man wishes, that he also believes to be true" Demosthenes, Olynthiac 3.19
• Book III, Chapter 18
• As quoted in The Adventurer No. 69 (3 July 1753) in The Works of Samuel Johnson (1837) edited by Arthur Murphy, p. 32
• Compare: "What each man wishes, that he also believes to be true" Demosthenes, Olynthiac 3.19
“
Fere libenter homines id quod volunt credunt.
• Variant translation: Men willingly believe what they wish to be true.
— Julius Caesar
What It Means
This is a placeholder explanation generated by the low-overhead model. It interprets "Fere libenter homines id quod volunt credunt.
• Variant translation: Men willingly believe what they wish to be true." in the context of "In most cases men willingly believe what they wish.
• Book III, Chapter 18
• As quoted in The Adventurer No. 69 (3 July 1753) in The Works of Samuel Johnson (1837) edited by Arthur Murphy, p. 32
• Compare: "What each man wishes, that he also believes to be true" Demosthenes, Olynthiac 3.19" to mean that wisdom is timeless.
Source: Wikiquote: "Julius Caesar" (Quotes, De Bello Gallico: Commentarii de Bello Gallico [Commentaries on the Gallic War])
The 'What it means' explanation text was generated by Google Gemini Flash (accessed January 18, 2026). https://gemini.google.com/app
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About Julius Caesar
Gaius Julius Caesar (Classical Latin: GAIVS IVLIVS CAESAR) (12 July 100 BC – 15 March 44 BC) was a Roman religious, military, and political leader. He played an important part in the transformation of the Roman Republic into the Roman Empire. His conquest of Gaul extended the Roman world all the way to the Atlantic Ocean, with the first Roman invasion of Britain in 55 BC. He is widely considered to be one of the greatest military geniuses of all time, as well as a brilliant politician and one of the ancient world's strongest leaders.
About Julius Caesar
Gaius Julius Caesar (Classical Latin: GAIVS IVLIVS CAESAR) (12 July 100 BC – 15 March 44 BC) was a Roman religious, military, and political leader. He played an important part in the transformation of the Roman Republic into the Roman Empire. His conquest of Gaul extended the Roman world all the way to the Atlantic Ocean, with the first Roman invasion of Britain in 55 BC. He is widely considered to be one of the greatest military geniuses of all time, as well as a brilliant politician and one of the ancient world's strongest leaders.
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