Thread by @shrikanth_krish

Want to start a thread of "quotes" from Edward Gibbon's "Decline and Fall of Roman Empire"

The book is so sparkling, that there are 2-3 sentences that gives you a "high" on just about every page

They reveal a flair for language, intuitive insight, and great moral courage

On Augustus's moderation

"Rome, in her present exalted situation, had much less to hope than to fear from the chance of arms; and that, in the prosecution of remote wars the undertaking became every day more difficult, the event more doubtful and the possession less beneficial"

On the state of Britain in 1st century on the eve of Roman invasion

"The various tribes of Britons possessed valor without conduct, and the love of freedom without the spirit of union"

On Agricola's rationale behind adding Ireland to his plan of conquest, after conquering Britain

"Britons would wear their chains with less reluctance if the prospect and example of freedom, were on every side removed from before their eyes"

A sarcastic comment on the "freedom of Caledonians" (modern Scots)

"The native Caledonians preserved in the northern extremity of the island their wild independence, for which they were not less indebted to their poverty than to their valor"

While commenting on Trajan's military ambition

"As long as mankind shall continue to bestow more liberal applause on their destroyers than on their benefactors, the thirst of military glory will ever be the vice of the most exalted characters"

On Roman might

"The terror of Roman arms added weight and dignity to the moderation of the emperors. They preserved peace by a constant preparation for war, and while justice regulated their conduct, ...they were as little disposed to endure as to offer injury"

"It was an inflexible maxim of Roman discipline that a good soldier should dread his officers more than the enemy

From such laudable arts did the valor of Imperial troops receive a degree of firmness &docility unattainable by the impetuous & irregular passions of the barbarians"

On Roman religion

"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"

Here's more

"The superstition of the people was not embittered by any mixture of theological rancor, nor was it confined by the chains of any speculative system"

"The thin texture of the pagan mythology was interwoven with various but not discordant materials"

"The elegant mythology of Homer gave a beautiful and almost a regular form to the polytheism of the ancient world"

On the attitude of the "intelligentsia" towards religion

"the philosophers of antiquity asserted the independent dignity of reason; but they resigned their actions to the commands of law and custom"

"Viewing with a smile of pity and indulgence the various errors of the vulgar, they diligently practiced the ceremonies of their fathers, devoutly frequented the temples of the gods, and sometimes condescending to act a part on the theatre of superstition"

On Roman slavery

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

On Christianity

"The inflexible and intolerant zeal of the Christians - derived, it is true, from the Jewish religion but purified from the narrow and unsocial spirit which, instead of inviting, had deterred the Gentiles from embracing the law of Moses"