Edward GibbonIt 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 th… ▶371LifeThought
Edward GibbonThe pathetic almost always consists in the detail of little events.372Hope
Edward GibbonThe principles of a free constitution are irrecoverably lost, when the legislative power is nominated by the executive. ✨ 'The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire' (1776-88… ▶374Politics
Edward GibbonWhenever the offence inspires less horror than the punishment, the rigour of penal law is obliged to give way to the common feelings of mankind. ✨ Edward Gibbon (1846). The … ▶344HumanityPolitics
Edward GibbonThe urgent consideration of the public safety may undoubtedly authorize the violation of every positive law. How far that or any other consideration may operate to dissolve the na… ▶334HumanityPoliticsReflection
Edward GibbonTruth, naked, unblushing truth, the first virtue of all serious history, must be the sole recommendation of this personal narrative. ✨ Edward Gibbon (1862). The History of t… ▶367Truth
Edward GibbonI sighed as a lover, I obeyed as a son. ✨ Memoirs of My Life ch. 4 (1796)301LifeLove
Edward GibbonOur sympathy is cold to the relation of distant misery. ✨ 'The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire' (1776-88) ch. 49357Life
Edward GibbonWhere error is irreparable, repentance is useless. ✨ Edward Gibbon (2008). The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire, p.35, Cosimo, Inc.368Death
Edward GibbonHistory, in fact, is no more than a list of the crimes of humanity, human follies and accidents346HumanityTruth
Edward GibbonAnd the winds and the waves are always on the side of the ablest navigators. ✨ History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire. Volume 6,358Truth
Edward GibbonAs long as mankind shall continue to bestow more liberal applause on their destroyers than on their benefactors, the thirst of military glory will ever be the vice of the most exa… ▶336HumanityTruth
Edward GibbonThe laws of a nation form the most instructive portion of its history ✨ Edward Gibbon, Henry Hart Milman (1840). The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire, p.2… ▶281Politics
Edward GibbonTheir poverty secured their freedom, since our desires and our possessions are the strongest fetters of despotism. ✨ Edward Gibbon (1839). The History of the Decline and Fal… ▶271Humor
Edward GibbonLet 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.359DeathReadingThought
Edward GibbonThe end comes when we no longer talk with ourselves. It is the end of genuine thinking and the beginning of the final loneliness.359Thought
Edward GibbonEvery person has two educations, one which he receives from others, and one, more important, which he gives to himself.282Death
Edward GibbonImam Hussain's sacrifice is for all groups and communities, an example of the path of rightousness.282Life
Edward GibbonThe mathematics are distinguished by a particular privilege, that is, in the course of ages, they may always advance and can never recede. ✨ Edward Gibbon (1862). The histor… ▶337Hope
Edward GibbonThe various modes of worship which prevailed in the Roman world were all considered by the people as equally true; by the philosopher as equally false; and by the magistrate as eq… ▶283HumanityReflectionTruth
Edward GibbonI am indeed rich, since my income is superior to my expenses, and my expense is equal to my wishes.349Thought
Edward GibbonA 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… ▶317Politics
Edward GibbonBut the power of instruction is seldom of much efficacy, except in those happy dispositions where it is almost superfluous. ✨ Edward Gibbon, Henry Hart Milman (1840). The Hi… ▶263Politics
Edward GibbonI understand by this passion the union of desire, friendship, and tenderness, which is inflamed by a single female, which prefers her to the rest of her sex, and which seeks her p… ▶285Love
Edward GibbonCorruption, the most infallible symptom of constitutional liberty. ✨ 'The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire' (1776-88) ch. 21307Humor
Edward GibbonIn a distant age and climate, the tragic scene of the death of Hosein will awaken the sympathy of the coldest reader. ✨ Edward Gibbon, M. Guizot (François) (1854). The Histo… ▶252DeathReading
Edward GibbonA heart to resolve, a head to contrive, and a hand to execute. ✨ 'The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire' (1776-88) ch. 48 (on Comenus)286Love
Edward GibbonThe value of money has been settled by general consent to express our wants and our property, as letters were invented to express our ideas; and both these institutions, by giving… ▶264HumanityLovePolitics
Edward GibbonHope, the best comfort of our imperfect condition. ✨ Edward Gibbon (1846). The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire, p.45242Hope
Edward GibbonIn the end, they wanted security more than they wanted freedom.3210Truth
