A possible reason for Brutus' stoic behavior can be explained by the words "Brutus only overcame himself, And no man else hath honour by his death" (75). As Daniel Traversi says, "The contrast between personal integrity and the way of a world..." (75) and, in the way Antony glorifies him with this famous epitaph, "This was the noblest Roman of them all" (75). Antony's praise for Brutus is sincere, although he is envious because he is not as noble. "That Mr. J. I. M. Stewart suggests that the play (and the study of the character of Brutus) has in it 'more subtlety than is readily discernible'...Brutus motives may have been more selfish than he himself suspected" (37). Brutus is vain and egotistical, and says of himself that he is "arm'd so strong in Honesty" there is no more to be said (37). This notion of Brutus being ambitious is probably the least favored opinion, but it must be given some credence. A man of his stature and position surely knew that he could possibly be the next ruler. When Brutus plunges his knife into Caesar, the emperor is astounded. He never expected Brutus to be a part of the rebellion; after all, he is his best friend. A dying Caesar utters the Well-known phrase "Et tu, Brutè " (Julius)? It is not the only wound inflicted on Caesar, but it is the last and most crushing blow of them all. How could a man who is guided by principles justify murdering his best friend?