As Caesar prepared to cross the river on the night of January 10 in 49 BC, he reflected in solitude for a while, then turned to his commanders and gave the order. When they reached the other side, his first words were Alea iacta est (the dice have been thrown). Since that fateful night, the phrase "crossing the Rubicon" has come to mean willingness to undertake a major and risky course of action from which there is no turning back. It is a move that requires foresight, strength of character and willingness to accept the consequences of one's actions, both good and bad. Caesar knew that he was about to plunge Rome into civil war and that as a result he would either become master of the ancient world or be killed. He was willing to accept either outcome.
"Crossing the rubicon" means embarking on a course of action from which you cannot turn back. What is the lesson here? Be sure to think before you act and to understand fully the implications of what you are about to do--the rewards as well as the costs for yourself and others.
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