All that is human must retrograde if it does not advance. Edward Gibbon More Quotes by Edward Gibbon More Quotes From Edward Gibbon The dark cloud, which had been cleared by the Phoenician discoveries, and finally dispelled by the arms of Caesar, again settled on the shores of the Atlantic, and a Roman province [Britain] was again lost among the fabulous Islands of the Ocean. Edward Gibbon oceandarkclouds On the approach of spring, I withdraw without reluctance from the noisy and extensive scene of crowds without company, and dissipation without pleasure. Edward Gibbon aprilcrowdsspring One must search diligently to find laudatory comments on education (other than those pious platitudes which are fodder for commencement speeches). It appears that most persons who have achieved fame and success in the world of ideas are cynical about formal education. These people are a select few, who often achieved success in spite of their education, or even without it. As has been said, the clever largely educate themselves, those less able aren't sufficiently clever or imaginative to benefit much from education. Edward Gibbon clevereducationideas Vicissitudes of fortune, which spares neither man nor the proudest of his works, which buries empires and cities in a common grave. Edward Gibbon empirescitiesmen Our ignorance is God; what we know is science. Edward Gibbon ignoranceatheistspiritual 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. Edward Gibbon regretpracticeloss History should be to the political economist a wellspring of experience and wisdom. Edward Gibbon experiencepoliticalshould The Indian who fells the tree that he may gather the fruit, and the Arab who plunders the caravans of commerce are actuated by the same impulse of savage nature, and relinquish for momentary rapine the long and secure possession of the most important blessings. Edward Gibbon blessingtreelong A taste for books, which is still the pleasure and glory of my life. Edward Gibbon glorytastebook In the second century of the Christian era, the empire of Rome comprehended the fairest part of the earth, and the most civilized portion of mankind. Edward Gibbon romechristianbook The image of a free constitution was preserved with decent reverence: the Roman senate appeared to possess the sovereign authority, and devolved on the emperors all the executive powers of government. During a happy period (A.D. 98-180) of more than fourscore years, the public administration was conducted by the virtue and abilities of Nerva, Trajan, Hadrian, and the two Antonines. Edward Gibbon governmenttwoyears The virtue of Marcus Aurelius Antoninus was of a severer and more laborious kind. It was the well-earned harvest of many a learned conference, of many a patient lecture, and many a midnight lucubration. At the age of twelve years, he embraced the rigid system of the Stoics, which taught him to submit his body to his mind, his passions to his reason; to consider virtue as the only good, vice as the only evil, all things external as things indifferent. Edward Gibbon passionhistoryyears His manners were less pure, but his character was equally amiable with that of his father. Twenty-two acknowledged concubines, and a library of sixty-two thousand volumes, attested the variety of his inclinations, and from the productions which he left behind him, it appears that the former as well as the latter were designed for use rather than ostentation. Edward Gibbon charactertwofather The subject, however various and important, has already been so frequently, so ably, and so successfully discussed, that it is now grown familiar to the reader, and difficult to the writer. Edward Gibbon difficultimportanthistory The possession and the enjoyment of property are the pledges which bind a civilised people to an improved country. Edward Gibbon countryhistorypeople Although the progress of civilisation has undoubtedly contributed to assuage the fiercer passions of human nature, it seems to have been less favourable to the virtue of chastity, whose most dangerous enemy is the softness of the mind. The refinements of life corrupt while they polish the intercourse of the sexes. The gross appetite of love becomes most dangerous when it is elevated, or rather, indeed, disguised by sentimental passion. Edward Gibbon passionlove-issex The German huts, open on every side to the eye of indiscretion or jealousy, were a better safeguard of conjugal fidelity than the walls, the bolts, and the eunuchs of a persian harem. To this reason, another may be added of a more honourable nature. The Germans treated their women with esteem and confidence, consulted them on every occasion of importance, and fondly believed that in their breasts resided a sanctity and wisdom more than human. Edward Gibbon walleyehistory Every person has two educations, one which he receives from others, and one, more important, which he gives to himself. Edward Gibbon importantgivingtwo The laws of a nation form the most instructive portion of its history Edward Gibbon portionsformlaw In a distant age and climate, the tragic scene of the death of Hosein will awaken the sympathy of the coldest reader. Edward Gibbon climateintellectualage
