caesar's wife must be above suspicion
Word Rarity
Rare
Frequency: Zipf frequency 2.89 in modern English
52
Scrabble Score
31
Letters
6
Syllables
16
Unique Chars
Meaning
proverb
Those in positions of authority should avoid even the implication of impropriety.
Etymology
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.
Inflected Forms
Caesar's wife must be above reproach (alternative)
Caesar's wife should be above suspicion (alternative)
Caesar's wife should be above reproach (alternative)