Gibbon Quotes: top 100 famous quotes about Gibbon

Gibbon Quotes & Sayings

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Feeble and timid minds ... consider the use of dilatory and ambiguous measures as the most admirable efforts of consummate prudence. — Edward Gibbon

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

And it was the part of a wise man to forget inevitable calamities of human life in the enjoyment of the fleeting hour. — Edward Gibbon

The great work of Gibbon is indispensable to the student of history. The literature of Europe offers no substitute for "The — Edward Gibbon

My early and invincible love of reading
I would not exchange for the treasures of India. — Edward Gibbon

The science of the laws is the slow growth of time and experience. — Edward Gibbon

A reformer should be exempt from the suspicion of interest, and he must possess the confidence and esteem of those whom he proposes to reclaim. — Edward Gibbon

I make it a point never to argue with people for whose opinion I have no respect. — Edward Gibbon

Of the various forms of government which have prevailed in the world, an hereditary monarchy seems to present the fairest scope for ridicule. — Edward Gibbon

Does there exist a single instance of a saint asserting that he himself possessed the gift of miracles? — Edward Gibbon

there were lovely things in the world, lovely that didn't endure, and the lovelier for that... Nothing endures. — Lewis Grassic Gibbon

[All] the manly virtues were oppressed by the servile and pusillanimous reign of the monks. — Edward Gibbon

Unprovided with original learning, unformed in the habits of thinking, unskilled in the arts of composition, I resolved to write a book. — Edward Gibbon

Persuasion is the resource of the feeble; and the feeble can seldom persuade ... — Edward Gibbon

History, in fact, is no more than a list of the crimes of humanity, human follies and accidents — Edward Gibbon

A good ad should be like a good sermon: It must not only comfort the afflicted, it also must afflict the comfortable. — Bernice Fitz-Gibbon

[Courage] arises in a great measure from the consciousness of strength ... — Edward Gibbon

Greek is a musical and prolific language, that gives a soul to the objects of sense, and a body to the abstractions of philosophy. — Edward Gibbon

Language is the leading principle which unites or separates the tribes of mankind. — Edward Gibbon

Our work is the presentation of our capabilities. — Edward Gibbon

During many ages, the prediction, as it is usual, contributed to its own accomplishment. — Edward Gibbon

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

The terror of the Roman arms added weight and dignity to the moderation of the emperors. They preserved peace by a constant preparation for war; — Edward Gibbon

In the field of controversy I always pity the moderate party, who stand on the open middle ground exposed to the fire of both sides. — Edward Gibbon

Recluse fanatics have few ideas or sentiments to communicate ... — Edward Gibbon

The monastic studies have tended, for the most part, to darken, rather than to dispel, the cloud of superstition. — Edward Gibbon

It's smart to be thrifty. — Bernice Fitz-Gibbon

The vain, inconstant, rebellious disposition of the people [of Armorica], was incompatible either with freedom or servitude. — Edward Gibbon

Extreme distress, which unites the virtue of a free people, imbitters the factions of a declining monarchy. — Edward Gibbon

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

[Arabs are] a people, whom it is dangerous to provoke, and fruitless to attack. — Edward Gibbon

According to the law of custom, and perhaps of reason, foreign travel completes the education of an English gentleman. — Edward Gibbon

The winds and waves are always on the side of the ablest navigators. — Edward Gibbon

It is the first care of a reformer to prevent any future reformation. — Edward Gibbon

The principles of a free constitution are irrecoverably lost, when the legislative power is nominated by the executive. — Edward Gibbon

The progress of despotism tends to disappoint its own purpose. — Edward Gibbon

Our ignorance is God; what we know is science. — Edward Gibbon

Deferring gratification is a good definition of being civilized. — Bernice Fitz-Gibbon

The pains and pleasures of the body, howsoever important to ourselves, are an indelicate subject of conversation — Edward Gibbon

The clam of peace and prosperity was once more experienced in the provinces; — Edward Gibbon

And it was an inflexible maxim of Roman discipline, that a good soldier should dread his officers far more than the enemy. — Edward Gibbon

I have but one lamp by which my feet are guided, and that is the lamp of experience. I know no way of judging of the future but by the past. — Edward Gibbon

According to the maxims of universal toleration, the Romans protected a superstition which they despised. — Edward Gibbon

But a law, however venerable be the sanction, cannot suddenly transform the temper of the times ... — Edward Gibbon

But a wild democracy ... too often disdains the essential principles of justice. — Edward Gibbon

Fanaticism obliterates the feelings of humanity. — Edward Gibbon

It was an inflexible maxim of Roman discipline that good soldier should dread his own officers far more than the enemy — Edward Gibbon

In reality, Rome had grown too big for lots of people to handle its vast affairs any longer by committee. — Edward Gibbon

[The monks'] minds were inaccessible to reason or mercy ... — Edward Gibbon

Man has much more to fear from the passions of his fellow-creatures, than from the convulsions of the elements. — Edward Gibbon

The first and indispensable requisite of happiness is a clear conscience. — Edward Gibbon

It was no longer esteemed infamous for a Roman to survive his honor and independence. — Edward Gibbon

But the wisdom and authority of the legislator are seldom victorious in a contest with the vigilant dexterity of private interest. — Edward Gibbon

The separation of the Arabs from the rest of mankind has accustomed them to confound the ideas of stranger and enemy. — Edward Gibbon

The criminal penalties [for suicide] are the production of a later and darker age. — Edward Gibbon

[Personal] industry must be faint and languid, which is not excited by the sense of personal interest. — Edward Gibbon

In a distant age and climate, the tragic scene of the death of Hosein will awaken the sympathy of the coldest reader. — Edward Gibbon

Corruption, the most infallible symptom of constitutional liberty. — Edward Gibbon

Of human life, the most glorious or humble prospects are alike and soon bounded by the sepulchre. — Edward Gibbon

The mathematics are distinguished by a particular privilege, that is, in the course of ages, they may always advance and can never recede. — Edward Gibbon

There exists in human nature a strong propensity to depreciate the advantages, and to magnify the evils, of the present times. — Edward Gibbon

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

Their poverty secured their freedom, since our desires and our possessions are the strongest fetters of despotism. — Edward Gibbon

[The] emperor of the West, the feeble and dissolute Valentinian, [had] reached his thirty-fifth year without attaining the age of reason or courage. — Edward Gibbon

The vicissitudes of fortune, which spares neither man nor the proudest of his works, which buries empires and cities in a common grave. — Edward Gibbon

History is indeed little more than the register of the crimes, follies, and misfortunes of mankind. — Edward Gibbon

Rational confidence [is] the just result of knowledge and experience. — Edward Gibbon

To a philosophic eye, the vices of the clergy are far less dangerous than their virtues. — Edward Gibbon

Let 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. — Edward Gibbon

Every person has two educations, one which he receives from others, and one, more important, which he gives to himself. — Edward Gibbon

Active valour may often be the present of nature; but such patient diligence can be the fruit only of habit and discipline. — Edward Gibbon

They soon experienced, that those who refuse the sword must renounce the sceptre. — Edward Gibbon

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. — Edward Gibbon

The inactivity of a conqueror betrays the loss of strength and blood ... — Edward Gibbon

The best and most important part of every man's education is that which he gives himself. — Edward Gibbon

Books are those faithful mirrors that reflect to our mind the minds of sages and heroes. — Edward Gibbon

The difference of language, dress, and manners ... severs and alienates the nations of the globe. — Edward Gibbon

History is little more than the register of the crimes, follies, and misfortunes of mankind.
Edward Gibbon — Simon Sebag Montefiore

He forgot that the best of omens is to unsheathe our sword in the defence of our country. — Edward Gibbon

The most distinguished merit of those two officers was their respective prowess, of the one in the combats of Bacchus, of the other in those of Venus. — Edward Gibbon

In the productions of the mind, as in those of the soil, the gifts of nature are excelled by industry and skill ... — Edward Gibbon

History has scarcely deigned to notice [Libius Severus's] birth, his elevation, his character, or his death. — Edward Gibbon

[Instead] of inquiring why the Roman empire was destroyed, we should rather be surprised that it had subsisted so long. — Edward Gibbon

In every deed of mischief he had a heart to resolve, a head to contrive, and a hand to execute. — Edward Gibbon

But the works of man are impotent against the assaults of nature ... — Edward Gibbon

In the end, they wanted security more than they wanted freedom. — Edward Gibbon

unchecked power corrupts. — Edward Gibbon

The sentiment of fear is nearly allied to that of hatred. — Edward Gibbon

[We should] suspend our belief of every tale that deviates from the laws of nature and the character of man. — Edward Gibbon

We improve ourselves by victory over our self. There must be contests, and you must win. — Edward Gibbon

Conversation enriches the understanding, but solitude is the school of genius. — Edward Gibbon

Ignorant of the arts of luxury, the primitive Romans had improved the science of government and war. — Edward Gibbon

[Peace] cannot be honorable or secure, if the sovereign betrays a pusillanimous aversion to war. — Edward Gibbon

Fear has been the original parent of superstition, every new calamity urges trembling mortals to deprecate the wrath of invisible enemies — Edward Gibbon

Another d-mn'd thick, square book! Always, scribble, scribble, scribble! Eh! Mr. Gibbon? — Edward Gibbon

[In] the national and religious conflict of the [Byzantine and Saracen] empires, peace was without confidence, and war without mercy. — Edward Gibbon

I never make the mistake of arguing with people for whose opinions I have no respect. — Edward Gibbon

Our toil is lessened, and our wealth is increased, by our dominion over the useful animals ... — Edward Gibbon

All that is human must retrograde if it does not advance. — Edward Gibbon

My English text is chaste, and all licentious passages are left in the decent obscurity of a learned language. — Edward Gibbon