Edward Gibbon
Edward Gibbon
Edward Gibbon FRS was an English historian, writer and Member of Parliament. His most important work, The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire, was published in six volumes between 1776 and 1788 and is known for the quality and irony of its prose, its use of primary sources, and its open criticism of organized religion...
NationalityEnglish
ProfessionHistorian
Date of Birth27 April 1737
love book reading
My early and invincible love of reading I would not exchange for all the riches of India.
wisdom growth doe
All that is human must retrograde if it does not advance.
comfort anticipation imperfect
Hope, the best comfort of our imperfect condition.
single blessing independence
The first of earthly blessings, independence.
sacrifice community hussain
Imam Hussain's sacrifice is for all groups and communities, an example of the path of rightousness.
dexterity authority interest
But the wisdom and authority of the legislator are seldom victorious in a contest with the vigilant dexterity of private interest.
christian tyrants sober
Many a sober Christian would rather admit that a wafer is God than that God is a cruel and capricious tyrant.
country philosophy men
The most sublime efforts of philosophy can extend no farther than feebly to point out the desire, the hope, or, at most, the probability, of a future state, there is nothing, except a divine revelation, that can ascertain the existence, and describe the condition of the invisible country which is destined to receive the souls of men after their separation from the body.
art book writing
Unprovided with original learning, unformed in the habits of thinking, unskilled in the arts of composition, I resolved to write a book.
book temptation london
To a lover of books the shops and sales in London present irresistible temptations.
communication army effort
An extensive empire must be supported by a refined system of policy and oppression; in the centre, an absolute power, prompt in action and rich in resources; a swift and easy communication with the extreme parts; fortifications to check the first effort of rebellion; a regular administration to protect and punish; and a well-disciplined army to inspire fear, without provoking discontent and despair.
reign virtue monk
[All] the manly virtues were oppressed by the servile and pusillanimous reign of the monks.
fashion character style
Style is the image of character.
education teacher teaching
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.