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The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire

Book by Edward Gibbon · 9 quotes · Roman Empire, History, May

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

“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.”

IfsMindMayStillsStatesLossVisionPracticeAtheismRegretPositive AtheismSuspenseSuperstitionsSkepticismMultitudesAwakenedInquisitiveInquisitive Minds
Book:The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire
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“The love of action is a principle of a much stronger and more doubtful nature. It often leads to anger, to ambition, and to revenge; but when it is guided by the sense of propriety and benevolence, it becomes the parent of every virtue, and, if those virtues are accompanied with equal abilities, a family, a state, or an empire may be indebted for their safety and prosperity to the undaunted courage of a single man.”

IfsMenMayStatesActionParentAbilityPrinciplesHistoryVirtueEqualAmbitionStrongerSafetyProsperityRevengeEmpiresBenevolenceDoubtfulRoman EmpireProprietyIndebtedSingle ManUndaunted
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“History, which undertakes to record the transactions of the past, for the instruction of future ages, would ill deserve that honourable office if she condescended to plead the cause of tyrants, or to justify the maxims of persecution.”

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“A people who still remembered that their ancestors had been the masters of the world would have applauded, with conscious pride, the representation of ancient freedom, if they had not long since been accustomed to prefer the solid assurance of bread to the unsubstantial visions of liberty and greatness.”

PeopleIfsWorldLongStillsLibertyVisionHistoryGreatnessMastersPrideConsciousAncientBreadRememberedAncestorRepresentationAssuranceAccustomedRoman Empire
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