Edward Gibbon quotes

Edward Gibbon was a renowned English historian and politician. His most famous work, "The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire," made him a prominent figure in historical writing. With meticulous research and eloquent prose, Gibbon traced the fall of the ancient Roman Empire, captivating readers worldwide. Born in 1737, his intellectual achievements earned him a place in the House of Commons. Throughout his career, Gibbon's dedication to historical accuracy and comprehensive accounts made him beloved among scholars and readers alike. Explore his timeless masterpiece and delve into the captivating world of ancient Rome through the lens of this extraordinary historian.

War, in its fairest form, implies a perpetual violation of humanity and justice.

- Edward Gibbon

History is indeed little more than the register of the crimes, follies and misfortunes of mankind.

- Edward Gibbon

We improve ourselves by victories over ourself. There must be contests, and you must win.

- Edward Gibbon

To an active mind, indolence is more painful than labor.

- Edward Gibbon

The winds and waves are always on the side of the ablest navigators.

- Edward Gibbon

The history of empires is the history of human misery.

- Edward Gibbon

My early and invincible love of reading – I would not exchange for the treasures of India.

- Edward Gibbon

I make it a point never to argue with people for whose opinion I have no respect.

- Edward Gibbon

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

My English text is chaste, and all licentious passages are left in the decent obscurity of a learned language.

- Edward Gibbon

The various modes of worship which prevailed in the Roman world were all considered by the people as equally true; by the philosopher as equally false; and by the magistrate as equally useful.

- Edward Gibbon

History is little more than the register of the crimes, follies, and misfortunes of mankind.

- Edward Gibbon

Fanaticism obliterates the feelings of humanity.

- Edward Gibbon

We improve ourselves by victories over ourselves. There must be contest, and we must win.

- Edward Gibbon

I am indeed rich, since my income is superior to my expenses, and my expense is equal to my wishes.

- Edward Gibbon

The winds and the waves are always on the side of the ablest navigators.

- Edward Gibbon

The courage of a soldier is found to be the cheapest and most common quality of human nature.

- Edward Gibbon

The principles of a free constitution are irrecoverably lost, when the legislative power is nominated by the executive.

- Edward Gibbon

I was never less alone than when by myself.

- Edward Gibbon

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.

- Edward Gibbon

The pathetic almost always consists in the detail of little events.

- Edward Gibbon

My early and invincible love of reading I would not exchange for all the riches of India.

- Edward Gibbon

Revenge is profitable, gratitude is expensive.

- Edward Gibbon

Beauty is an outward gift which is seldom despised, except by those to whom it has been refused.

- Edward Gibbon

Conversation enriches the understanding, but solitude is the school of genius.

- Edward Gibbon

Corruption, the most infallible symptom of constitutional liberty.

- Edward Gibbon

History is indeed little more than the register of the crimes, follies, and misfortunes of mankind.

- Edward Gibbon

A heart to resolve, a head to contrive, and a hand to execute.

- Edward Gibbon

Our work is the presentation of our capabilities.

- Edward Gibbon

Of the various forms of government which have prevailed in the world, an hereditary monarchy seems to present the fairest scope for ridicule.

- Edward Gibbon