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Edward Gibbon Quotes - Page 2

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The communication of ideas requires a similitude of thought and language . . .

The communication of ideas requires a similitude of thought and language . . .

Edward Gibbon
Communication, Ideas, Language
Edward Gibbon (2015). “History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire V 5: the History Focus”, p.63, 谷月社

An extensive empire must be supported by a refined system of policy and oppression; in the centre, an absolute power, prompt in action and rich in resources; a swift and easy communication with the extreme parts; fortifications to check the first effort of rebellion; a regular administration to protect and punish; and a well-disciplined army to inspire fear, without provoking discontent and despair.

Edward Gibbon
Communication, Army, Effort
Edward Gibbon (2008). “The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire”, p.302, Cosimo, Inc.

The first of earthly blessings, independence.

Edward Gibbon
Single, Blessing, Independence
Edward Gibbon (1998). “Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire”, p.8, Wordsworth Editions

Books are those faithful mirrors that reflect to our mind the minds of sages and heroes.

Edward Gibbon
Book, Reading, Hero

Let us read with method, and propose to ourselves an end to which our studies may point. The use of reading is to aid us in thinking.

Edward Gibbon
Book, Reading, Thinking

Hope, the best comfort of our imperfect condition.

Edward Gibbon
Hope, Comfort, Anticipation
Edward Gibbon (1846). “The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire”, p.45

There is nothing perhaps more adverse to nature and reason than to hold in obedience remote countries and foreign nations, in opposition to their inclination and interest.

Edward Gibbon
Country, Reason, Obedience
Edward Gibbon, Henry Hart Milman, Guizot (François, M.), William Smith (1871). “The history of the decline and fall of the Roman empire”, p.425

The first and indispensable requisite of happiness is a clear conscience.

Edward Gibbon
Happiness, Firsts, Clear
Edward Gibbon (1854). “The history of the decline and fall of the Roman empire, with notes by Milman and Guizot. Ed. by W. Smith”, p.127

The savage nations of the globe are the common enemies of civilized society; and we may inquire, with anxious curiosity, whether Europe is still threatened with a repetition of those calamities, which formerly oppressed the arms and institutions of Rome.

Edward Gibbon
Rome, Europe, Curiosity
Edward Gibbon (1840). “The history of the decline and fall of the Roman empire”

[Whole] generations may be swept away by the madness of kings in the space of a single hour.

Edward Gibbon
Kings, Space, Generations
Edward Gibbon, Henry Hart Milman (1860). “The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire”, p.440

In the field of controversy I always pity the moderate party, who stand on the open middle ground exposed to the fire of both sides.

Edward Gibbon
Party, Fire, Fields
Edward Gibbon, J. B. Bury (2013). “The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire: Edited in Seven Volumes with Introduction, Notes, Appendices, and Index”, p.257, Cambridge University Press

Women [in ancient Rome] were condemned to the perpetual tutelage of parents, husbands, or guardians; a sex created to please and obey was never supposed to have attained the age of reason and experience. Such, at least, was the stern and haughty spirit of the ancient law . . .

Edward Gibbon
Sex, Husband, Law
Edward Gibbon, Henry Hart Milman, Guizot (François, M.), William Smith (1871). “The history of the decline and fall of the Roman empire”, p.61

The possession and the enjoyment of property are the pledges which bind a civilised people to an improved country.

Edward Gibbon
Country, People, History
Edward Gibbon (1998). “Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire”, p.188, Wordsworth Editions

[The] discretion of the judge is the first engine of tyranny . . .

Edward Gibbon
Judging, Firsts, Tyranny
Edward Gibbon (1837). “The history of the decline and fall of the Roman empire”, p.742

Every person has two educations, one which he receives from others, and one, more important, which he gives to himself.

Edward Gibbon
Two, Giving, Important

A nation of slaves is always prepared to applaud the clemency of their master who, in the abuse of absolute power, does not proceed to the last extremes of injustice and oppression.

Edward Gibbon
Money, Abuse, Democracy
Edward Gibbon (1998). “Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire”, p.567, Wordsworth Editions

[Instead] of inquiring why the Roman empire was destroyed, we should rather be surprised that it had subsisted so long.

Edward Gibbon
Long, Empires, Inquiring
Edward Gibbon (1840). “The history of the decline and fall of the Roman empire”

It was Rome, on the fifteenth of October, 1764, as I sat musing amidst the ruins of the Capitol, while the barefooted friars were singing vespers in the Temple of Jupiter, that the idea of writing the decline and fall of the city first started to my mind.

Edward Gibbon
Fall, Writing, Rome
Memoirs of My Life ch. 6 (1796)

The most worthless of mankind are not afraid to condemn in others the same disorders which they allow in themselves; and can readily discover some nice difference in age, character, or station, to justify the partial distinction.

Edward Gibbon
Nice, Character, Differences
Edward Gibbon (2016). “THE HISTORY OF THE DECLINE AND FALL OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE (All 6 Volumes): From the Height of the Roman Empire, the Age of Trajan and the Antonines - to the Fall of Byzantium; Including a Review of the Crusades, and the State of Rome during the Middle Ages”, p.195, e-artnow

Religion is a mere question of geography.

Edward Gibbon
Geography, Mere

Ignorant of the arts of luxury, the primitive Romans had improved the science of government and war.

Edward Gibbon
Art, War, Government
Edward Gibbon (1871). “The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire”, p.22

Among the innumerable monuments of architecture constructed by the Romans, how many have escaped the notice of history, how few have resisted the ravages of time and barbarism! And yet even the majestic ruins that are still scattered over Italy and the provinces, would be sufficient to prove that those countries were once the seat of a polite and powerful empire.

Edward Gibbon
Country, Powerful, History
Edward Gibbon (1998). “Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire”, p.37, Wordsworth Editions

The single combats of the heroes of history or fable amuse our fancy and engage our affections: the skillful evolutions of war may inform the mind, and improve a necessary, though pernicious, science. But in the uniform and odious pictures of a general assault, all is blood, and horror, and confusion . . .

Edward Gibbon
War, Hero, Blood
Edward Gibbon, Francis Parkman, William H. Prescott, Theodore Roosevelt (2012). “The Modern Library Essential World History 4-Book Bundle: The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire (Abridged); Montcalm and Wolfe; History of the Conquest of Mexico; The Naval War of 1812”, p.1712, Modern Library

Under a democratical government the citizens exercise the powers of sovereignty; and those powers will be first abused, and afterwards lost, if they are committed to an unwieldy multitude.

Edward Gibbon
Exercise, Government, History
Edward Gibbon (1840). “The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire”, p.32

'I believe in o­ne God and Mohammed the Apostle of God,' is the simple and invariable profession of Islam. The intellectual image of the Deity has never been degraded by any visible idol; the honours of the prophet have never transgressed the measure of human virtue, and his living precepts have restrained the gratitude of his disciples within the bounds of reason and religion.

Edward Gibbon
Gratitude, Believe, Simple
Edward Gibbon, Francis Parkman, William H. Prescott, Theodore Roosevelt (2012). “The Modern Library Essential World History 4-Book Bundle: The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire (Abridged); Montcalm and Wolfe; History of the Conquest of Mexico; The Naval War of 1812”, p.1340, Modern Library

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