Top 25 Quotes by Edward Gibbon of 355 - Page 5

The style of an author should be the image of his mind, but the choice and command of language is the fruit of exercise.

The style of an author should be the image of his mind, but the choice and command of language is the fruit of exercise.

Edward Gibbon

Writing, Exercise, Choices

Edward Gibbon (1837). “The Miscellaneous Works of Edward Gibbon: With Memoirs of His Life and Writing Composed by Himself, Illustrated from His Letters with Occasional Notes and Narrative”, p.92

The awful mysteries of the Christian faith and worship were concealed from the eyes of strangers, and even of catechumens, with an affected secrecy, which served to excite their wonder and curiosity.

Edward Gibbon

Christian, Eye, History

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.881, e-artnow

bizarreness masqueraded as creativity.

Edward Gibbon

Creativity, Shock

That public virtue which among the ancients was denominated patriotism, is derived from a strong sense of our own interest in the preservation and prosperity of the free government of which we are members. Such a sentiment, which had rendered the legions of the republic almost invincible, could make but a very feeble impression on the mercenary servants of a despotic prince; and it became necessary to supply that defect by other motives, of a different, but not less forcible nature; honour and religion.

Edward Gibbon

Strong, Government, History

Edward Gibbon (2009). “The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire (Edited and Abridged): Abridged Edition”, p.15, Modern Library

To the University of Oxford I acknowledge no obligation; and she will as cheerfully renounce me for a son, as I am willing to disclaim her for a mother. I spent fourteen months at Magdalen College: they proved the fourteen months the most idle and unprofitable of my whole life.

Edward Gibbon

Mother, Son, College

'Memoirs of My Life' (1796) ch. 2

Suspicious princes often promote the last of mankind, from a vain persuasion that those who have no dependence except on their favor will have no attachment except to the person of their benefactor.

Edward Gibbon

Attachment, Favors, Lasts

Edward Gibbon, Henry Hart Milman (1838). “The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire”, p.154

In the various states of society, armies are recruited from very different motives. Barbarians are urged by the love of war; the citizens of a free republic may be prompted by a principle of duty; the subjects, or at least the nobles, of a monarchy, are animated by a sentiment of honor; but the timid and luxurious inhabitants of a declining empire must be allured into the service by the hopes of profit, or compelled by the dread of punishment.

Edward Gibbon

Military, War, Army

Edward Gibbon (2016). “EDWARD GIBBON Premium Collection: Historiographical Works, Memoirs & Letters: Including "The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire”, p.731, e-artnow

The gravest of the ecclesiastical historians, Eusebius himself, indirectly confesses that he has related whatever might redound to the glory, and that he has suppressed all that could tend to the disgrace, of religion.

Edward Gibbon

Religion, Atheism, Might

Edward Gibbon (1875). “History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire”, p.79

I was never less alone than when by myself.

Edward Gibbon

Loneliness, Being Alone, Feeling Alone

Edward Gibbon, John Baker Holroyd (2014). “Miscellaneous Works of Edward Gibbon, Esquire”, p.83, Cambridge University Press

The Romans, who so coolly and so concisely mention the acts of justice which were exercised by the legions, reserve their compassion and their eloquence for their own sufferings, when the provinces were invaded and desolated by the arms of the successful Barbarians.

Edward Gibbon

Successful, Compassion, History

Edward Gibbon (2009). “The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire (Edited and Abridged): Abridged Edition”, p.496, Modern Library

Agriculture is the foundation of manufactures; since the productions of nature are the materials of art. Under the Roman empire, the labour of an industrious and ingenious people was variously, but incessantly employed, in the service of the rich. In their dress, their table, their houses, and their furniture, the favourites of fortune united every refinement of conveniency, of elegance, and of splendour, whatever could soothe their pride or gratify their sensuality.

Edward Gibbon

Art, Pride, Agriculture

Edward Gibbon (1841). “The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire, 1: With Maps”, p.33

The philosopher, who with calm suspicion examines the dreams and omens, the miracles and prodigies, of profane or even of ecclesiastical history, will probably conclude that, if the eyes of the spectators have sometimes been deceived by fraud, the understanding of the readers has much more frequently been insulted by fiction.

Edward Gibbon

Dream, Eye, History

Edward Gibbon (2015). “History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire V2: the History Focus”, p.155, 谷月社

A state of skepticism and suspense may amuse a few inquisitive minds. But the practice of superstition is so congenial to the multitude that, if they are forcibly awakened, they still regret the loss of their pleasing vision.

Edward Gibbon

Regret, Loss, Practice

Edward Gibbon, Henry Hart Milman, M. Guizot (François), William Smith (1872). “The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire”, p.68

To a lover of books the shops and sales in London present irresistible temptations.

Edward Gibbon

Book, Temptation, London

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.97

At that time the archiepiscopal throne of Alexandria was filled by Theophilus, the perpetual enemy of peace and virtue; a bold, bad man, whose hands were alternately polluted with gold and with blood.

Edward Gibbon

Men, Blood, Hands

Edward Gibbon (2015). “History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire V3: the History Focus”, p.48, 谷月社

The love of spectacles was the taste, or rather passion, of the Syrians: the most skilful artists were procured form the adjacent cities; a considerable share of the revenue was devoted to the public amusements; and the magnificence of the games of the theatre and circus was considered as the happiness, and as the glory, of Antioch.

Edward Gibbon

Passion, Artist, Games

Edward Gibbon (1998). “Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire”, p.510, Wordsworth Editions

Imam Hussain's sacrifice is for all groups and communities, an example of the path of rightousness.

Edward Gibbon

Sacrifice, Community, Groups

Vicissitudes of fortune, which spares neither man nor the proudest of his works, which buries empires and cities in a common grave.

Edward Gibbon

Men, Cities, Empires

Edward Gibbon (1821). “The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire”, p.358

[Every age], however destitute of science or virtue, sufficiently abounds with acts of blood and military renown.

Edward Gibbon

Military, Blood, Age

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.1804, e-artnow

In the second century of the Christian era, the empire of Rome comprehended the fairest part of the earth, and the most civilized portion of mankind.

Edward Gibbon

Christian, Book, Rome

Edward Gibbon (1871). “The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire”, p.1

Our sympathy is cold to the relation of distant misery.

Edward Gibbon

Sympathy, Suffering, Misery

'The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire' (1776-88) ch. 49

A people who still remembered that their ancestors had been the masters of the world would have applauded, with conscious pride, the representation of ancient freedom, if they had not long since been accustomed to prefer the solid assurance of bread to the unsubstantial visions of liberty and greatness.

Edward Gibbon

Pride, Greatness, Long

Edward Gibbon (1820). “The history of the decline and fall of the Roman empire”, p.165

It is incumbent on us diligently to remember that the kingdom of heaven was promised to the poor in spirit, and that minds afflicted by calamity and the contempt of mankind cheerfully listen to the divine promise of future happiness; while, on the contrary, the fortunate are satisfied with the possession of this world; and the wise abuse in doubt and dispute their vain superiority of reason and knowledge.

Edward Gibbon

Wise, History, Heaven

Edward Gibbon (1854). “The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire”, p.217

And thus toleration produced not only mutual indulgence, but even religious concord. The superstition of the people was not embittered theological rancor.

Edward Gibbon

Religious, People, Superstitions

Edward Gibbon (2013). “Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire: The Modern Library Collection (Complete and Unabridged)”, p.19, Modern Library

In the purer ages of the commonwealth, the use of arms was reserved for those ranks of citizens who had a country to love, a property to defend, and some share in enacting those laws which it was their interest, as well as duty, to maintain. But in proportion as the public freedom was lost in extent of conquest, war was gradually improved into an art, and degraded into a trade.

Edward Gibbon

Country, Art, War

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.33, e-artnow

Edward Gibbon Quotes - Page 5

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