The "second barb" delivered by the Roman playwright and knight Decimus Laberius to Julius Caesaroccurred during a public theater contest in 46 BCE. Forced by Caesar to act on stage (a humiliation that stripped him of his knightly status), Laberius embedded sharp, defiant allusions against the dictator's tyranny into his performance. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]

While his first and most famous barb was, "He whom many fear must needs fear many", his second barbimmediately followed it to warn Caesar of his inevitable downfall: [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]

The Latin Text

"Non possunt primi esse omnes omni in tempore.
Summum ad gradum cum claritatis veneris,
Consistes aegre et citius quam ascendas cades."
— As preserved by Macrobius in the Saturnalia (Book II, Chapter 9). [1]

The English Translation

"All men cannot come out first each time.
When you've reached the highest step on fame's ladder,
You'll find it hard to keep your footing and fall more quickly than you rise." []

Context & Consequences

• The Metaphor: The "highest step" (summum ad gradum) was a direct poke at Caesar's newly established, absolute dominance over Rome after the civil war. [1]
• The Result: Although the audience understood the political attack, Caesar subtly got his revenge by officially awarding the acting victory to Laberius's rival, Publilius Syrus. However, Caesar still handed Laberius a gold ring after the show, restoring his elite status as a Roman knight. [1, 2, 3, 4]

If you are interested in this specific historical event, I can also provide:

• The full Latin text and translation of Laberius’s famous opening prologue lamenting his loss of honor.
• The humorous witty exchange between Laberius and Cicero that happened right after he left the stage. [1, 2]