Caesar's wife must be above suspicion

proverb

Those in positions of authority should avoid even the implication of impropriety.

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Meanings

proverb

alternative Caesar's wife must be above reproach · alternative Caesar's wife should be above suspicion · alternative Caesar's wife should be above reproach

  1. Those in positions of authority should avoid even the implication of impropriety.

Origin

In 62 BC Publius Clodius Pulcher sneaked into the festival of the Bona Dea, hosted by Julius Caesar’s wife, Pompeia, with the intention of seducing her, leading to Publius’s arrest and trial. After the trial, Caesar divorced Pompeia, and when questioned said “my wife ought not even to be under suspicion,” as Pompeia was under suspicion of illicit behavior.

Full word history & related roots →

Translations

Dutch Caesars vrouw moet boven alle verdenking verheven zijn
  • Caesars vrouw moet boven alle verdenking verheven zijnTranslations
French la femme de César ne doit pas être soupçonnée
  • la femme de César ne doit pas être soupçonnéeTranslations
German Cäsars Frau muss über jeden Verdacht erhaben sein
  • Cäsars Frau muss über jeden Verdacht erhaben seinTranslations
Spanish la mujer del César no solo debe serlo
  • la mujer del César no solo debe serloTranslations
Cite this entry
APA

Caesar's wife must be above suspicion. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 5, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Caesar's%20wife%20must%20be%20above%20suspicion

MLA

“Caesar's wife must be above suspicion.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Caesar's%20wife%20must%20be%20above%20suspicion. Accessed November 5, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “Caesar's wife must be above suspicion,” accessed November 5, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Caesar's%20wife%20must%20be%20above%20suspicion.

Source: Caesar's wife must be above suspicion on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.