Edward Gibbon Sayings and Quotes

Below you will find our collection of inspirational, wise, and humorous old Edward Gibbon quotes, Edward Gibbon sayings, and Edward Gibbon proverbs, collected over the years from a variety of sources.'

History is indeed little more than the register of the crimes, follies, and misfortunes of mankind. Edward Gibbon
The first of earthly blessings, independence. Edward Gibbon
The winds and waves are always on the side of the ablest navigators. Edward Gibbon
Religion is regarded by the common people as true, by the wise as false, and by the rulers as useful. Edward Gibbon
The courage of a soldier is found to be the cheapest and most common quality of human nature. Edward Gibbon
I never make the mistake of arguing with people for whose opinions I have no respect. Edward Gibbon
The courage of a soldier is found to be the cheapest and most common quality of human nature. 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
I never make the mistake of arguing with people for whose opinions I have no respect. Edward Gibbon
The winds and the waves are always on the side of the ablest navigators. Edward Gibbon
I was never less alone than when by myself. Edward Gibbon
I never make the mistake of arguing with people for whose opinions I have no respect. Edward Gibbon
Corruption, the most infallible symptom of constitutional liberty. Edward Gibbon
Conversation enriches the understanding, but solitude is the school of genius. Edward Gibbon
Agriculture is the foundation of manufactures, since the productions of nature are the materials of art. Edward Gibbon
The frequent repetition of miracles serves to provoke, where it does not subdue, the reason of mankind. Edward Gibbon
The inactivity of a conqueror betrays the loss of strength and blood. Edward Gibbon
In every deed of mischief he had a heart to resolve, a head to contrive, and a hand to execute. Edward Gibbon
The winds and the waves are always on the side of the ablest navigators. Edward Gibbon
A state of skepticism and suspense may amuse a few inquisitive minds. But the practice of superstition is so congenial to the multitude that, if they are forcibly awakened, they still regret the loss of their pleasing vision. Edward Gibbon
I never make the mistake of arguing with people for whose opinions I have no respect. 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
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 lead to an untimely grave; and almost every reign is closed by the same disgusting repetition of treason and murder. Edward Gibbon
The union of the Roman empire was dissolved; its genius was humbled in the dust; and armies of unknown barbarians, issuing from the frozen regions of the North, had established their victorious reign over the fairest provinces of Europe and Africa. Edward Gibbon
The two Antonines (for it is of them that we are now speaking) governed the Roman world forty-two years, with the same invariable spirit of wisdom and virtue. ... Their united reigns are possibly the only period of history in which the happiness of a great people was the sole object of government. Edward Gibbon
The Romans, who so coolly and so concisely mention the acts of justice which were exercised by the legions, reserve their compassion and their eloquence for their own sufferings, when the provinces were invaded and desolated by the arms of the successful Barbarians. Edward Gibbon
Rational confidence [is] the just result of knowledge and experience. Edward Gibbon
A false modesty is the meanest species of pride. Edward Gibbon
The revenge of a guilty woman is implacable. Edward Gibbon
Agriculture is the foundation of manufactures, since the productions of nature are the materials of art. Edward Gibbon