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
life success winning
We improve ourselves by victories over ourselves. There must be contest, and we must win.
dexterity authority interest
But the wisdom and authority of the legislator are seldom victorious in a contest with the vigilant dexterity of private interest.
philosophy mean history
Philosophy, with the aid of experience, has at length banished the study of alchymy; and the present age, however desirous of riches, is content to seek them by the humbler means of commerce and industry.
wisdom growth doe
All that is human must retrograde if it does not advance.
history disposition efficacy
But the power of instruction is seldom of much efficacy, except in those happy dispositions where it is almost superfluous.
sympathy suffering misery
Our sympathy is cold to the relation of distant misery.
inspirational motivational business
Our work is the presentation of our capabilities.
liberty corruption symptoms
Corruption, the most infallible symptom of constitutional liberty.
inspirational life wisdom
The winds and the waves are always on the side of the ablest navigators.
money abuse democracy
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.
freedom ends wanted
In the end, they wanted security more than they wanted freedom.
christian brave grace
As for this young Ali, one cannot but like him. A noble-minded creature, as he shows himself, now and always afterwards; full of affection, of fiery daring. Something chivalrous in him; brave as a lion; yet with a grace, a truth and affection worthy of Christian knighthood.
army history discipline
But in almost every province of the Roman world, an army of fanatics, without authority and without discipline, invaded the peaceful inhabitants; and the ruin of the fairest structures of antiquity still displays the ravages of those barbarians who alone had time and inclination to execute such laborious destruction.
often-is discipline may
Active valour may often be the present of nature; but such patient diligence can be the fruit only of habit and discipline.