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The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire
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"The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire" Quotes

Edward Gibbon's "The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire" meticulously chronicles the gradual decay of the Roman Empire, attributing its collapse to internal decay, moral decline, and external invasions over several centuries.

Quotes

The five marks of the Roman decaying culture: Concern with displaying affluence instead of building wealth; Obsession with sex and perversions of sex; Art becomes freakish and sensationalistic instead of creative and original; Widening disparity between very rich and very poor; Increased demand to live off the state.

Edward Gibbon

culturesocietywealth

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

Edward Gibbon

successadversity

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

Edward Gibbon

couragewar

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

Edward Gibbon

historyhuman nature

The power of instruction is seldom of much efficacy except in those happy dispositions where it is almost superfluous.

Edward Gibbon

educationlearning

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

religionbelief

The works of nature and the works of revelation display religion to mankind in characters so large and visible that those who are not quite blind may see them.

Edward Gibbon

naturereligion

The public has often been led by the nose with such deceptions; and yet, when it is once undeceived, it is not easy to restore the former belief.

Edward Gibbon

deceptionpublic opinion

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

Edward Gibbon

politicsfreedom

The style of the fathers is a faithful picture of their manners and character.

Edward Gibbon

literaturecharacter