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The union of the Roman empire was dissolved its genius was humbled in the dust and armies of unknown barbarians, issuing from the frozen regions of the North, had established their victorious reign over the fairest provinces of Europe and Africa.

Edward Gibbon

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Edward Gibbon
Age: 56 †
Born: 1737
Born: May 8
Died: 1794
Died: January 16
Classical Scholar
Historian
Politician
Writer
Gibbon
Europe
Established
Provinces
Genius
Africa
Armies
History
North
Roman
Issuing
Unknown
Reign
Fairest
Union
Empire
Dissolved
Unions
Frozen
Humbled
Dust
Empires
Victorious
Army
Regions
Barbarians

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My early and invincible love of reading I would not exchange for all the riches of India.
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The fortune of nations has often depended on accidents . . .
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A Locrian, who proposed any new law, stood forth in the assembly of the people with a cord round his neck, and if the law was rejected, the innovator was instantly strangled.
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Metellus Numidicus, the censor, acknowledged to the Roman people, in a public oration, that had kind nature allowed us to exist without the help of women, we should be delivered from a very troublesome companion and he could recommend matrimony only as the sacrifice of private pleasure to public duty.
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Revenge is profitable, gratitude is expensive.
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The active cavalry of Scythia is always followed, in their most distant and rapid incursions, by an adequate number of spare horses, who may be occasionally used, either to redouble the speed, or to satisfy the hunger, of the barbarians. Many are the resources of courage and poverty.
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Corruption, the most infallible symptom of constitutional liberty, was successfully practised honours, gifts, and immunities were offered and accepted as the price of an episcopal vote and the condemnation of the Alexandrian primate was artfully represented as the only measure which could restore the peace and union of the catholic church.
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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.
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A state of skepticism and suspense may amuse a few inquisitive minds. But the practice of superstition is so congenial to the multitude that, if they are forcibly awakened, they still regret the loss of their pleasing vision.
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Extreme distress, which unites the virtue of a free people, imbitters the factions of a declining monarchy.
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[Arabs are] a people, whom it is dangerous to provoke, and fruitless to attack.
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Freedom is the first wish of our heart freedom is the first blessing of nature and unless we bind ourselves with voluntary chains of interest or passion, we advance in freedom as we advance in years
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History is indeed little more than the register of the crimes, follies, and misfortunes of mankind.
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I never make the mistake of arguing with people for whose opinions I have no respect.
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[Courage] arises in a great measure from the consciousness of strength . . .
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The history of empires is the record of human misery the history of the sciences is that of the greatness and happiness of mankind.
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The Gauls derided the hairy and gigantic savages of the North their rustic manners, dissonant joy, voracious appetite, and their horrid appearance, equally disgusting to the sight and to the smell.
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But the wisdom and authority of the legislator are seldom victorious in a contest with the vigilant dexterity of private interest.
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The 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 natural obligations of humanity and justice, is a doctrine of which I still desire to remain ignorant.
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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.
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