The historian must have some conception of how men who are not historians behave. Edward Gibbon More Quotes by Edward Gibbon More Quotes From Edward Gibbon The frequent repetition of miracles serves to provoke, where it does not subdue, the reason of mankind. Edward Gibbon miracledoehistory During the games of the Circus, he had, imprudently or designedly, performed the manumission of a slave in the presence of the consul. The moment he was reminded that he had trespassed on the jurisdiction of another magistrate, he condemned himself to pay a fine of ten pounds of gold, and embraced this public occasion of declaring to the world that he was subject, like the rest of his fellow-citizens, to the laws, and even to the forms, of the republic. Edward Gibbon lawgameshistory Julian was not insensible of the advantages of freedom. From his studies he had imbibed the spirit of ancient sages and heroes; his life and fortunes had depended on the caprice of a tyrant; and, when he ascended the throne, his pride was sometimes mortified by the reflection that the slaves who would not dare to censure his defects were not worthy to applaud his virtues. Edward Gibbon pridereflectionhero Philosophy had instructed Julian to compare the advantages of action and retirement; but the elevation of his birth and the accidents of his life never allowed him the freedom of choice. He might perhaps sincerely have preferred the groves of the Academy and the society of Athens; but he was constrained, at first by the will, and afterwards by the injustice of Constantius, to expose his person and fame to the dangers of Imperial greatness; and to make himself accountable to the world and to posterity for the happiness of millions. Edward Gibbon greatnessretirementphilosophy While the Romans languished under the ignominious tyranny of eunuchs and bishops, the praises of Julian were repeated with transport in every part of the empire, except in the palace of Constantius. Edward Gibbon bishopsempireshistory The retirement of Athanasius, which ended only with the life of Constantius, was spent, for the most part, in the society of the monks, who faithfully served him as guards, as secretaries, and as messengers; but the importance of maintaining a more intimate connection with the catholic party tempted him, whenever the diligence of the pursuit was abated, to emerge from the desert, to introduce himself into Alexandria, and to trust his person to the discretion of his friends and adherents. Edward Gibbon partyretirementhistory Where the subject lies so far beyond our reach, the difference between the highest and the lowest of human understandings may indeed be calculated as infinitely small; yet the degree of weakness may perhaps be measured by the degree of obstinacy and dogmatic confidence. Edward Gibbon differenceslyinghistory The grateful applause of the clergy has consecrated the memory of a prince, who indulged their passions and promoted their interest. Constantine gave them security, wealth, honours, and revenge; and the support of the orthodox faith was considered as the most sacred and important duty of the civil magistrate. The edict of Milan, the great charter of toleration, had confirmed to each individual of the Roman world the privilege of choosing and professing his own religion. Edward Gibbon gratefulrevengememories An absolute monarch, who is rich without patrimony, may be charitable without merit; and Constantine too easily believed that he should purchase the favour of Heaven if he maintained the idle at the expense of the industrious, and distributed among the saints the wealth of the republic. Edward Gibbon saintheavenhistory In everyage and country, the wiser, or at least the stronger, ofthetwosexes, hasusurped thepowers ofthe state, and confined the other to the cares and pleasures of domestic life. Edward Gibbon strongercarecountry And thus toleration produced not only mutual indulgence, but even religious concord. The superstition of the people was not embittered theological rancor. Edward Gibbon superstitionsreligiouspeople The principles of a free constitution are irrecoverably lost, when the legislative power is nominated by the executive. Edward Gibbon constitutionprinciplespower The laws of probability, so true in general, so fallacious in particular. Edward Gibbon statisticslawscience My English text is chaste, and all licentious passages are left in the decent obscurity of a learned language. Edward Gibbon obscenityobscuritylanguage The pathetic almost always consists in the detail of little events. Edward Gibbon detailseventslittles Our sympathy is cold to the relation of distant misery. Edward Gibbon miserysufferingsympathy But the power of instruction is seldom of much efficacy, except in those happy dispositions where it is almost superfluous. Edward Gibbon dispositioninstructionhistory I am indeed rich, since my income is superior to my expenses, and my expense is equal to my wishes. Edward Gibbon incomemoneywish I understand by this passion the union of desire, friendship, and tenderness, which is inflamed by a single female, which prefers her to the rest of her sex, and which seeks her possession as the supreme or the sole happiness of our being. Edward Gibbon happinessfriendshipsex The author himself is the best judge of his own performance; none has so deeply meditated on the subject; none is so sincerely interested in the event. Edward Gibbon learningcriticismjudging
