To an active mind, indolence is more painful than labor. Edward Gibbon More Quotes by Edward Gibbon More Quotes From Edward Gibbon Amiable weaknesses of human nature. Edward Gibbon weakness nature humans It is seldom that minds long exercised in business have formed any habits of conversing with themselves, and in the loss of power they principally regret the want of occupation. Edward Gibbon regret loss long As for this young Ali, one cannot but like him. A noble-minded creature, as he shows himself, now and always afterwards; full of affection, of fiery daring. Something chivalrous in him; brave as a lion; yet with a grace, a truth and affection worthy of Christian knighthood. Edward Gibbon grace brave christian The courage of a soldier is found to be the cheapest and most common quality of human nature. Edward Gibbon navy army soldier The revolution of ages may bring round the same calamities; but ages may revolve without producing a Tacitus to describe them. Edward Gibbon revolution age may The separation of the Arabs from the rest of mankind has accustomed them to confound the ideas of stranger and enemy. Edward Gibbon separation enemy ideas 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. Edward Gibbon flower path blood The single combats of the heroes of history or fable amuse our fancy and engage our affections: the skillful evolutions of war may inform the mind, and improve a necessary, though pernicious, science. But in the uniform and odious pictures of a general assault, all is blood, and horror, and confusion . . . Edward Gibbon hero war blood The nations, and the sects, of the Roman world, admitted with equal credulity, and similar abhorrence, the reality of that infernal art [witchcraft], which was able to control the eternal order of the planets, and the voluntary operations of the human mind. . . . They believed, with the wildest inconsistency, that this preternatural dominion of the air, of earth, and of hell, was exercised, from the vilest motives of malice or gain, by some wrinkled hags and itinerant sorcerers, who passed their obscure lives in penury and contempt. Edward Gibbon air reality art There exists in human nature a strong propensity to depreciate the advantages, and to magnify the evils, of the present times. Edward Gibbon strong evil history The first and indispensable requisite of happiness is a clear conscience. Edward Gibbon clear happiness firsts The complaints of contemporary writes, who deplore the increase of luxury and deprevation of manners, are commonly expressive of their peculiar temper and situation. There are few observers who possess a clear and comprehensive view of the revolutions of society, and who are capable of discovering the nice and secret springs of action which impel, in the same uniform direction, the bland and capricious passions of a multitude of individuals. Edward Gibbon passion nice spring On the slightest touch the unsupported fabric of their pride and power fell to the ground. The expiring senate displayed a sudden lustre, blazed for a moment, and was extinguished for ever. Edward Gibbon fabric pride history Yet the people, and even the clergy, incapable of forming any rational judgment of the business of peace and war, presumed to arraign the policy of Stilicho, who so often vanquished, so often surrounded, and so often dismissed the implacable enemy of the republic. The first moment of the public safety is devoted to gratitude and joy; but the second is diligently occupied by envy and calumny. Edward Gibbon gratitude war people Flattery is a foolish suicide; she destroys herself with her own hands. Edward Gibbon flattery suicide hands It was among the ruins of the capitol that I first conceived the idea of a work which has amused and exercised nearly twenty years of my life. Edward Gibbon twenties years ideas Antoninus diffused order and tranquility over the greatest part of the earth. His reign is marked by the rare advantage of furnishing very few materials for history; which is, indeed, little more than the register of the crimes, follies, and misfortunes of mankind. Edward Gibbon littles order history The character of the tribunes was, in every respect, different from that of the consuls. The appearance of the former was modest and humble; but their persons were sacred and inviolable. Their force was suited rather for opposition than for action. They were instituted to defend the oppressed, to pardon offences, to arraign the enemies of the people, and, when they judged it necessary, to stop, by a single word, the whole machine of government. Edward Gibbon government humble character Feeble and timid minds . . . consider the use of dilatory and ambiguous measures as the most admirable efforts of consummate prudence. Edward Gibbon effort use mind The fierce and partial writers of the times, ascribing all virtue to themselves, and imputing all guilt to their adversaries, have painted the battle of the angels and the demons. Edward Gibbon atheism guilt angel
