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Edward Gibbon Quotes about Greatness

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The decline of Rome was the natural and inevitable effect of immoderate greatness. Prosperity ripened the principle of decay; the cause of the destruction multiplied with the extent of conquest; and, as soon as time or

The decline of Rome was the natural and inevitable effect of immoderate greatness. Prosperity ripened the principle of decay; the cause of the destruction multiplied with the extent of conquest; and, as soon as time or accident and removed the artificial supports, the stupendous fabric yielded to the pressure of its own weight. The story of the ruin is simple and obvious: and instead of inquiring why the Roman Empire was destroyed we should rather be surprised that it has subsisted for so long.

Edward Gibbon
Simple, Greatness, Rome
Edward Gibbon (1906). “The History of the Decline & Fall of the Roman Empire”

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

The manly pride of the Romans, content with substantial power, had left to the vanity of the East the forms and ceremonies of ostentatious greatness. But when they lost even the semblance of those virtues which were derived from their ancient freedom, the simplicity of Roman manners was insensibly corrupted by the stately affectation of the courts of Asia.

Edward Gibbon
Pride, Greatness, Vanity
Edward Gibbon (1875). “History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire”, p.107

Philosophy had instructed Julian to compare the advantages of action and retirement; but the elevation of his birth and the accidents of his life never allowed him the freedom of choice. He might perhaps sincerely have preferred the groves of the Academy and the society of Athens; but he was constrained, at first by the will, and afterwards by the injustice of Constantius, to expose his person and fame to the dangers of Imperial greatness; and to make himself accountable to the world and to posterity for the happiness of millions.

Edward Gibbon
Retirement, Philosophy, Greatness
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.1005, e-artnow

[The] vain and transitory scenes of human greatness are unworthy of a serious thought.

Edward Gibbon
Greatness, Serious, Scene
Edward Gibbon (2015). “Delphi Complete Works of Edward Gibbon (Illustrated)”, p.1871, Delphi Classics

The ascent to greatness, however steep and dangerous, may entertain an active spirit with the consciousness and exercise of its own power: but the possession of a throne could never yet afford a lasting satisfaction to an ambitious mind.

Edward Gibbon
Exercise, Greatness, Mind
Edward Gibbon (1821). “The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire”, p.149

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