Quotes from Edward Gibbon

But the power of instruction is seldom of much efficacy, except in those happy dispositions where it is almost superfluous.

The frequent repetition of miracles serves to provoke, where it does not subdue, the reason of mankind.

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.

The voice of history is often little more than the organ of hatred or flattery.

History is indeed little more than the register of the crimes follies and misfortunes of mankind.

Hope, the best comfort of our imperfect condition.

Fanaticism obliterates the feelings of humanity.

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

The first of earthly blessings, independence.

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

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

If we contrast the rapid progress of this mischievous discovery [of gunpowder] with the slow and laborious advances of reason, science, and the arts of peace, a philosopher, according to his temper, will laugh or weep at the folly of mankind (Chapter 65,p. 68)

The 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 a more active energy to the powers and passions of human nature, have contributed to multiply the objects they were designed to represent.

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

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

If the empire had been afflicted by any recent calamity, by a plague, a famine, or an unsuccessful war; if the Tiber had, or if the Nile had not, risen beyond its banks; if the earth had shaken, or if the temperate order of the seasons had been interrupted, the superstitious Pagans were convinced that the crimes and the impiety of the Christians, who were spared by the excessive lenity of the government, had at length provoked the divine justice.

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

Augustus was sensible that mankind is governed by names; nor was he deceived in his expectation, that the senate and the people would submit to slavery, provided they were respectfully assured that they still enjoyed their ancient freedoms.

I must reluctantly observe that two causes, the abbreviation of time, and the failure of hope, will always tinge with a browner shade the evening of life.

he forgot that the best of omens is to unsheathe our sword in the defence of our country.

Under a democratical government, the citizens exercise the powers of sovereignty; and those powers will be first abused, and afterwards lost, if they are committed to an unwieldy multitude.

it is always easy, as well as agreeable, for the the inferior ranks of mankind to claim a merit from the contempt of that pomp and pleasure, which fortune has placed beyond their reach. The virtue of the primitive Christians, like that of the first Romans, was very frequently guarded by poverty and ignorance.

it was much less dangerous for the disciples of Christ to neglect the observance of the moral duties, than to despise the censures and authority of their bishops.

Hope, the best comfort of our imperfect condition