Edward Gibbon Quotes

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Edward Gibbon

Profession : Historian

Birth : April 27, 1737

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

Edward Gibbon

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

Edward Gibbon

I understand by this passion the union of desire, friendship, and tenderness, which is inflamed by a single female, which prefers her to the rest of her sex, and which seeks her possession as the supreme or the sole happiness of our being.

Edward Gibbon

Our work is the presentation of our capabilities.

Edward Gibbon

Every man who rises above the common level has received two educations: the first from his teachers; the second, more personal and important, from himself.

Edward Gibbon

Hope, the best comfort of our imperfect condition.

Edward Gibbon

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

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

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

Edward Gibbon

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

Edward Gibbon

Revenge is profitable, gratitude is expensive.

Edward Gibbon

We improve ourselves by victories over ourselves. There must be contest, and we must win.

Edward Gibbon

I am indeed rich, since my income is superior to my expenses, and my expense is equal to my wishes.

Edward Gibbon

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

Edward Gibbon

Fanaticism obliterates the feelings of humanity.

Edward Gibbon

Style is the image of character.

Edward Gibbon

Their poverty secured their freedom, since our desires and our possessions are the strongest fetters of despotism.

Edward Gibbon

Corruption, the most infallible symptom of constitutional liberty.

Edward Gibbon

In every deed of mischief he had a heart to resolve, a head to contrive, and a hand to execute.

Edward Gibbon