Render unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's.
Quae sunt Caesaris Caesari et quae sunt Dei Deo.
Meaning and origin
The proverb "Render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and unto God the things that are God's." is a biblical reference found in the Gospel of Matthew, where Jesus is asked about paying taxes to Caesar (Matt 22,15–22). The proverb is often used to emphasize the importance of giving respect and obedience to both secular authorities (Caesar) and divine authorities (God) in their respective domains. It highlights the idea of separating worldly matters from spiritual matters and fulfilling one's duties to both.
Proverbs on a similar topic
Related proverbs
Similar proverbs in another language
Latin
- Quae sunt Caesaris Caesari et quae sunt Dei Deo. What is Caesar's to Caesar, and what is God's to God.
French
- Il faut rendre à César ce qui est à César, et à Dieu ce qui est à Dieu. Render to Caesar what is Caesar's, and to God what is God's.
German
- Dem Kaiser, was des Kaisers ist. To the emperor what is the emperor's.