You wrote to me once, listing the four chief virtues: wisdom, justice, fortitude and temperance. As I read the list, I knew I had none of them. But I have other virtues, father. Ambition. That can be a virtue when it drives us to excel. Resourcefulness. Courage. Perhaps not on the battlefield, but … there are many forms of courage. Devotion, to my family and to you. But none of my virtues were on your list. Even then it was as if you didn’t want me for your son.

Joaquin Phoenix as Commodus in Gladiator (2000) 

Death smiles at us all. All a man can do is smile back.

Gladiator (2000) dir. Ridley Scott

Today I saw a slave become more powerful than the Emperor of Rome.

Gladiator (2000) dir. Ridley Scott

Gladiator (2000) dir. Ridley Scott

Gladiator (2000) dir. Ridley Scott

You would have been strong. I wonder, would you have been just?
I would have been what you taught me to be.

There was once a dream that was Rome.

- Gladiator (2000) Dir. Ridley Scott    

“What we do in life echoes in eternity.”