Commodus quotes from Gladiator (2000)

Commodus

What am I going to do with you? You simply won't...die.

Commodus

It vexes me. I'm terribly vexed.

Commodus

He sleeps so well because he is loved.

Commodus

One kind word, one full hug while you pressed me to your chest and held me tight, would have been like the sun on my heart for a thousand years. What is it in me you hate so much? All I ever wanted was to live up to you, Caesar, Father. Father, I would butcher the whole world if you would only love me..

Commodus

Am I not merciful? [loses patience] Am I not merciful?!

Commodus

It's a dream, a frightful dream... life is.

Commodus

There are many forms of courage...

Commodus

Your emperor asks for your loyalty, Maximus. Take my hand. I only offer it once.

Commodus

And now they love Maximus for his mercy. So I can't just kill him, or it makes me even more unmerciful! The whole thing's like some crazed nightmare.

Commodus

My history's a little bit hazy Cassius, but didn't the barbarians lose the Battle of Carthage?

Cassius

Yes, sire. I'm sorry, sire.

Commodus

Who is that man? [refers to Maximus]

Cassius

They call him "The Spaniard", sire.

Commodus

I think I'll meet him.

Commodus

The general who became a slave. The slave who became a gladiator. The gladiator who defied an emperor. Striking story! But now, the people want to know how the story ends. Only a famous death will do. And what could be more glorious than to challenge the Emperor himself in the great arena?

Maximus

You would fight me?

Commodus

Why not? Do you think I am afraid?

Maximus

I think you've been afraid all your life.

Commodus

Unlike Maximus the invincible, who knows no fear?

Maximus

I knew a man who once said: "Death smiles at us all. All a man can do is smile back."

Commodus

I wonder, did your friend smile at his own death?

Maximus

You must know. He was your father.

Commodus

You loved my father, I know. But so did I. That makes us brothers, doesn't it? Smile for me now, brother! [Commodus stabs him in the back]

Commodus

They embrace me as one of their own. The people are my children and I am their father.

Gracchus

Have you ever embraced someone dying of plague, sire?

Commodus

No. But if you interrupt me again, I assure you that you shall.

Gracchus

But the Senate is the people, sire. Chosen from among the people, to speak for the people.

Commodus

I doubt if any of the people eat so well as you, Gracchus. Or have such splendid mistresses, Gaius.

Gracchus

For you guidance, Caesar, the Senate has prepared a series of protocols, to begin addressing the many problems in the city, beginning with basic sanitation for the Greek quarter, to combat the plague which is already springing up there. So, if Caesar...

Commodus

Shh. Don't you see, Gracchus? That's the very problem, isn't it? My father spent all his time at study, at books and learning and philosophy. He spent his twilight hours reading scrolls from the Senate. And all the while, the people were forgotten.

Gracchus

But the Senate is the people, sire. Chosen from among the people, to speak for the people.

Commodus

I doubt if any of the people eat so well as you do, Gracchus. Or have such splendid mistresses, Gaius. I think I understand my own people.

Gracchus

Then perhaps Caesar will be so good as to teach us … out of his own, extensive experience.

Commodus

I call it love. I am their father, the people are my children. I shall hold them to my bosom and embrace them tightly –

Gracchus

Have you ever embraced someone dying of plague, sire?

Commodus

No. But if you interrupt me again, I assure you that you shall.