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[The] discretion of the judge is the first engine of tyranny . . .

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
Engines
Tyranny
Judge
Judging
Firsts
First
Discretion
Engine

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There exists in human nature a strong propensity to depreciate the advantages, and to magnify the evils, of the present times.
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Language is the leading principle which unites or separates the tribes of mankind.
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[Every age], however destitute of science or virtue, sufficiently abounds with acts of blood and military renown.
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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.
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I never make the mistake of arguing with people for whose opinions I have no respect.
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The progress of manufactures and commerce insensibly collects a large multitude within the walls of a city: but these citizens are no longer soldiers and the arts which adorn and improve the state of civil society, corrupt the habits of the military life.
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[It] is the interest as well as duty of a sovereign to maintain the authority of the laws.
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And thus toleration produced not only mutual indulgence, but even religious concord. The superstition of the people was not embittered theological rancor.
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Unprovided with original learning, unformed in the habits of thinking, unskilled in the arts of composition, I resolved to write a book.
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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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Women [in ancient Rome] were condemned to the perpetual tutelage of parents, husbands, or guardians a sex created to please and obey was never supposed to have attained the age of reason and experience. Such, at least, was the stern and haughty spirit of the ancient law . . .
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Europe is secure from any future irruptions of Barbarians since, before they can conquer, they must cease to be barbarous.
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It is impossible to reduce, or, at least, to hold a distant country against the wishes and efforts of its inhabitants.
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Fanaticism obliterates the feelings of humanity.
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According to the law of custom, and perhaps of reason, foreign travel completes the education of an English gentleman.
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Every man who rises above the common level has received two educations: the first from his teachers the second, more personal and important, from himself.
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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 love of freedom, so often invigorated and disgraced by private ambition, was reduced, among the licentious Franks, to the contempt of order, and the desire of impunity.
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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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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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