Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Comment on this quote Share via Email Print this Page [1-9] of 9 Edward Gibbon quotesEdward Gibbon QuotesEdward Gibbon In the end, more than freedom, they wanted security. They wanted a comfortable life, and they lost it all - security, comfort, and freedom. When the Athenians finally wanted not to give to society but for society to give to them, when the freedom they wished for most was freedom from responsibility then Athens ceased to be free and was never free again.~ Edward Gibbon In the end, more than freedom, they wanted security. They wanted a comfortable life, and they lost it all - security, comfort, and freedom. When the Athenians finally wanted not to give to society but for society to give to them, when the freedom they wished for most was freedom from responsibility then Athens ceased to be free and was never free again.~ Edward Gibbon The principles of a free constitution are irrevocably lost when the legislative power is dominated by the executive.~ Edward Gibbon The winds and waves are always on the side of the ablest navigators.~ Edward Gibbon History is indeed little more than the register of the crimes, follies and misfortunes of mankind.~ Edward Gibbon A martial nobility and stubborn commons, possessed of arms, tenacious of property, and collected into constitutional assemblies form the only balance capable of preserving a free constitution against the enterprise of an aspiring prince.~ Edward Gibbon Whenever the offence inspires less horror than the punishment, the rigour of penal law is obliged to give way to the common feelings of mankind.~ Edward Gibbon Revenge is profitable, gratitude is expensive.~ 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 Share on Facebook Tweet Email Print