ProverbChallengeLatin origin

Divide and conquer

Meaning: Achieve dominance by breaking opposition into smaller parts.

Origin: Often credited to Julius Caesar, but the Latin maxim divide et impera — divide and rule — has also been attributed to Philip II of Macedon, who played the Greek city-states against one another, and to later rulers such as France's Louis XI. Who first said it is unknown. Caesar did exploit rivalries among the Gallic tribes during his conquest of Gaul.

Equivalents in French, Spanish, German, Dutch, and Polish

  • French: Diviser pour régner (literally: Divide to rule)
  • Spanish: Divide y vencerás (literally: Divide and you will conquer)
  • German: Teile und herrsche (literally: Divide and rule)
  • Dutch: Verdeel en heers (literally: Divide and rule)
  • Polish: Dziel i rządź (literally: Divide and rule)

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