Edward Gibbon quotes

Edward Gibbon was an English historian and writer, best known for his monumental work "The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire." His detailed narrative and critical analysis set new standards for historical scholarship. He influenced generations of historians and shaped the modern understanding of ancient Rome. Here are 79 of his quotes:

And the winds and the waves are always on the side of the ablest navigators. (Edward Gibbon)

We improve ourselves by victory over our self. There must be contests, and you must win.

Edward Gibbon

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

Edward Gibbon

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

Edward Gibbon

Corruption, the most infallible symptom of constitutional liberty.

Edward Gibbon

All that is human must retrograde if it does not advance.

Edward Gibbon

Revenge is profitable, gratitude is expensive.

Edward Gibbon

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

Edward Gibbon

The end comes when we no longer talk with ourselves. It is the end of genuine thinking and the beginning of the final loneliness.

Edward Gibbon

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

Edward Gibbon

I was never less alone than when by myself. (Edward Gibbon)

Every person has two educations, one which he receives from others, and one, more important, which he gives to himself.

Edward Gibbon

Unprovided with original learning, unformed in the habits of thinking, unskilled in the arts of composition, I resolved to write a book.

Edward Gibbon

Our sympathy is cold to the relation of distant misery.

Edward Gibbon

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

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

Books are those faithful mirrors that reflect to our mind the minds of sages and heroes.

Edward Gibbon

Amiable weaknesses of human nature.

Edward Gibbon

... vicissitudes of fortune, which spares neither man nor the proudest of his works, which buries empires and cities in a common grave.

Edward Gibbon

On the approach of spring I withdraw without reluctance from the noisy and extensive scene of crowds without company, and dissipation without pleasure.

Edward Gibbon

I sighed as a lover, I obeyed as a son. (Edward Gibbon)

It was at Rome, on the 15th of October, 1764, as I sat musing amidst the ruins of the Capitol, while the barefoot friars were singing vespers in the Temple of Jupiter, that the idea of writing the decline and fall of the city first started to my mind.

Edward Gibbon

It has been calculated by the ablest politicians that no State, without becoming soon exhausted, can maintain above the hundredth part of its members in arms and idleness.

Edward Gibbon

Our work is the presentation of our capabilities.

Edward Gibbon

The style of an author should be the image of his mind, but the choice and command of language is the fruit of exercise.

Edward Gibbon

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Edward Gibbon

Edward Gibbon - Image

Occupation: English Historian
Born: April 27, 1737
Died: January 16, 1794
Quotes count: 79
Wikipedia: Edward Gibbon

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