Edward Gibbon

Quotes

The ideas of inheritance and succession are so very familiar that the generality of mankind consider them as founded not only in reason but in nature itself.
The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire
Our sympathy is cold to the relation of distant misery.
The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire
It was in the school of Alexandria that the Christian theology appears to have assumed a regular and scientifical form.
- Religion
The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire
Our habits of thinking so fondly connect the order of the universe with the fate of man, that this gloomy period of history has been decorated with inundations, earthquakes, uncommon meteors, preternatural darkness, and a crowd of prodigies fictitious or exaggerated.
- History
The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire
In every age the Persians have been addicted to intemperance, and the wines of Shiraz have triumphed over the law of Mahomet.
The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire
If we consult the succeeding writers ... their knowledge will appear gradually to increase as their means of information must have diminished, a circumstance which frequently occurs in historical disquisition.
- History
The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire
In a distant age and climate the tragic scene of the death of Hussyn will awaken the sympathy of the coldest reader.
The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire
The traveller who has contemplated the ruins of ancient Rome may conceive some imperfect idea of the sentiments which they must have inspired when they reared their heads in the splendour of unsullied beauty.
- Transience
The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire
The same timid policy, of dividing whatever is united, of reducing whatever is eminent, of dreading every active power, and of expecting that the most feeble will be the most obedient, seems to pervade the institutions of several princes, and particularly those of Constantine.
- Politics
- Power
The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire
When Gallienus received the intelligence that his capital was delivered from the barbarians, he was much less delighted than alarmed with the courage of the senate, since it might one day prompt them to rescue the public from domestic tyranny as well as from foreign invasion. His timid ingratitude was published to his subjects, in an edict which prohibited the senators from exercising any military employment, and even from approaching the camps of the legions. But his fears were groundless. The rich and luxurious nobles, sinking into their natural character, accepted, as a favor, this disgraceful exemption from military service; and as long as they were indulged in the enjoyment of their baths, their theatres, and their villas, they cheerfully resigned the more dangerous cares of empire to the rough hands of peasants and soldiers.
- Politics
- Power
The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire
[C]aution and vigilance are the most important lessons of the art of war.
- War
The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire
The example and reputation of Constantine seemed to countenance the delay of baptism. Future tyrants were encouraged to believe that the innocent blood which they might shed in a long reign would instantly be washed away in the waters of regeneration; and the abuse of religion dangerously undermined the foundations of moral virtue.
- Religion
- Morality
The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire