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
respect life-and-love mistake
I never make the mistake of arguing with people for whose opinions I have no respect.
beauty english-historian except outward seldom whom
Beauty is an outward gift which is seldom despised, except by those to whom it has been refused.
english-historian history register
History is little more than the register of the crimes, follies, and misfortunes of mankind.
deed mischief
In every deed of mischief he had a heart to resolve, a head to contrive, and a hand to execute.
decent easy enjoyed gifts
Decent easy men, who supinely enjoyed the gifts of the founder.
arts english-historian habits learning original resolved
Unprovided with original learning, unformed in the habits of thinking,unskilled in the arts of composition, I resolved to write a book.
active buried clergy con doctrines large last military patience portion preached private public remains society spirit virtues wealth
The clergy successfully preached the doctrines of patience and pusillanimity; the active virtues of society were discouraged; and the last remains of a military spirit were buried in the cloister: a large portion of public and private wealth was con
money abuse democracy
A nation of slaves is always prepared to applaud the clemency of their master who, in the abuse of absolute power, does not proceed to the last extremes of injustice and oppression.
fate unhappy might
Such was the unhappy condition of the Roman emperors, that, whatever might be their conduct, their fate was commonly the same. A life of pleasure or virtue, of severity or mildness, of indolence or glory, alike led to an untimely grave; and almost every reign is closed by the same disgusting repetition of treason and murder.
party fire fields
In the field of controversy I always pity the moderate party, who stand on the open middle ground exposed to the fire of both sides.
christian religious intelligent
The archiepiscopal throne of Macedonius, which had been polluted with so much Christian blood, was successively filled by Eudoxus and Damophilus. Their diocese enjoyed a free importation of vice and error from every province of the empire; the eager pursuit of religious controversy afforded a new occupation to the busy idleness of the metropolis: and we may credit the assertion of an intelligent observer, who describes, with some pleasantry, the effects of their loquacious zeal.
christian religious intelligent
The archiepiscopal throne of Macedonius, which had been polluted with so much Christian blood, was successively filled by Eudoxus and Damophilus. Their diocese enjoyed a free importation of vice and error from every province of the empire; the eager pursuit of religious controversy afforded a new occupation to the busy idleness of the metropolis: and we may credit the assertion of an intelligent observer, who describes, with some pleasantry, the effects of their loquacious zeal.