Edward Gibbon
Edward Gibbon
Edward Gibbon FRS was an English historian, writer and Member of Parliament. His most important work, The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire, was published in six volumes between 1776 and 1788 and is known for the quality and irony of its prose, its use of primary sources, and its open criticism of organized religion...
NationalityEnglish
ProfessionHistorian
Date of Birth27 April 1737
art cities desire
A warlike nation like the Germans, without either cities, letters, arts, or money, found some compensation for this savage state in the enjoyment of liberty. Their poverty secured their freedom, since our desires and our possessions are the strongest fetters of despotism.
opportunity years would-be
Hope, the best comfort of our imperfect condition, was not denied to the Roman slave; and if he had any opportunity of rendering himself either useful or agreeable, he might very naturally expect that the diligence and fidelity of a few years would be rewarded with the inestimable gift of freedom.
war long drug
So long as mankind shall continue to lavish more praise upon its destroyers than upon its benefactors war shall remain the chief pursuit of ambitious minds.
math epic age
The mathematics are distinguished by a particular privilege, that is, in the course of ages, they may always advance and can never recede.
love son lovers
I sighed as a lover, I obeyed as a son.
men history historian
The historian must have some conception of how men who are not historians behave.
eye vices virtue
To a philosophic eye, the vices of the clergy are far less dangerous than their virtues.
art discovery laughing
If we contrast the rapid progress of this mischievous discovery [gunpowder] with the slow and laborious advances of reason, science, and the arts of peace, a philosopher, according to his temper, will laugh or weep at the folly of mankind.
men might lasts
Boethius might have been styled happy, if that precarious epithet could be safely applied before the last term of the life of man.
christian tyrants enemy
According to the faith and mercy of his Christian enemies, [Chosroes] sunk without hope into a still deeper abyss [Hell]; and it will not be denied, that tyrants of every age and sect are the best entitled to such infernal abodes.
flower blood path
From the paths of blood (and such is the history of nations) I cannot refuse to turn aside to gather some flowers of science or virtue.
character men law
[We should] suspend our belief of every tale that deviates from the laws of nature and the character of man.
independence honor infamous
It was no longer esteemed infamous for a Roman to survive his honor and independence.
country effort wish
It is impossible to reduce, or, at least, to hold a distant country against the wishes and efforts of its inhabitants.