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History Quotes

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History Quotes

“Like most Rebel soldiers, Sam Watkins owned no slaves.”

War History Slave Soldier Civil War Rebel American Civil War

Author:Bruce Catton

“We stand in need of such reflections to comfort us for the loss of some illustrious characters, which in our eyes might have seemed the most worthy of the heavenly present. The names of Seneca, of the elder and the younger Pliny, of Tacitus, of Plutarch, of Galen, of the slave Epictetus, and of the emperor Marcus Antoninus, adorn the age in which they flourished, and exalt the dignity of human natures.”

Source: EDWARD GIBBON Premium Collection: Historiographical Works, Memoirs & Letters: Including

“The distinctions of personal merit and influence, so conspicuous in a republic, so feeble and obscure under a monarchy, were abolished by the despotism of the emperors; who substituted in their room a severe subordination of rank and office, from the titled slaves who were seated on the steps of the throne, to the meanest instruments of arbitrary power.”

Source: The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire (Edited and Abridged): Abridged Edition

“Julian was not insensible of the advantages of freedom. From his studies he had imbibed the spirit of ancient sages and heroes; his life and fortunes had depended on the caprice of a tyrant; and, when he ascended the throne, his pride was sometimes mortified by the reflection that the slaves who would not dare to censure his defects were not worthy to applaud his virtues.”

Source: Delphi Complete Works of Edward Gibbon (Illustrated)

“During the games of the Circus, he had, imprudently or designedly, performed the manumission of a slave in the presence of the consul. The moment he was reminded that he had trespassed on the jurisdiction of another magistrate, he condemned himself to pay a fine of ten pounds of gold, and embraced this public occasion of declaring to the world that he was subject, like the rest of his fellow-citizens, to the laws, and even to the forms, of the republic.”

Source: The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire: Edited in Seven Volumes with Introduction, Notes, Appendices, and Index

“No man is good enough to govern another man without the other's consent.”

“Kings are the slaves of history.”

History Kings Historical Slave Great Men Rulers

Book:War and Peace: Translated by Richard Pevear and Larissa Volokhonsky

Source: War and Peace: Translated by Richard Pevear and Larissa Volokhonsky

“Bringing the gifts that my ancestors gave, I am the dream and the hope of the slave. I rise. I rise. I rise.”

Source: Phenomenal Woman: Four Poems Celebrating Women

“Mr. Blair, I look upon secession as anarchy. If I owned the four millions of slaves in the South, I would sacrifice them all to the Union; but how can I draw my sword upon Virginia, my native State?”

Men War Happens Young Wish Waiting History Terrible Slave South Young Man Civil War American Civil War

Author:Robert E. Lee

“Hope, the best comfort of our imperfect condition, was not denied to the Roman slave; and if he had any opportunity of rendering himself either useful or agreeable, he might very naturally expect that the diligence and fidelity of a few years would be rewarded with the inestimable gift of freedom.”

Ifs Years Might Would Be Opportunity History Conditions Comfort Slave Denied Imperfect Fidelity Diligence Roman Empire Rendering

Book:The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire (Edited and Abridged): Abridged Edition

Source: The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire (Edited and Abridged): Abridged Edition

“Will the slave fight? If any man asks you, tell him No. But if anyone asks you will a Negro fight, tell him Yes!”

Ifs Men Fighting Asks History Slave American Civil War

Author:Wendell Phillips